Arrears mounting, Faridkot hospital struggling to buy medicines

Faridkot, August 3

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The local Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital has started facing problems in arranging medicines for indoor patients as the state government is yet to clear Rs 19.5 crore dues under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Many pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to supply the medicines to the hospital as their arrears are mounting each day. Even Amrit Pharmacy, a network of the retail counter of medicines initiated by the Union Health Ministry, is left with a limited stock of medicines due to the non-clearance of bills worth over Rs 2 crore by the hospital.

Under an MoU, signed between the Faridkot hospital and some private pharmaceutical companies, free medicines are provided to the Ayushman beneficiaries and the medical college makes the payment to the firms after receiving the grant from the State Health Agency.

When contacted, TPS Phoolka, Chief Executive Officer, State Health Agency, declined to make any comment about the outstanding dues of under the scheme in the state.

Sources in the agency, however, said it was over Rs 300 crore. Many empanelled private hospitals are also reluctant in treating the needy because of the dues.