Miscellaneous
AHW accused of selling medicines that patients should get for free
An auxiliary health worker (AHW) of Taldhunga Health Post of Salmechakal VDC in Kavre has been found selling medicines, which should be distributed for free, citing shortage of drugs.Nagendra Adhikari
An auxiliary health worker (AHW) of Taldhunga Health Post of Salmechakal VDC in Kavre has been found selling medicines, which should be distributed for free, citing shortage of drugs.
AHW, according to complaints by villagers, has been even running a private clinic within the health post.
The government provides 70 types of medicines to health posts to distribute them for free to the needy.
But AHW Yadav is learnt
to have been forcing people
of Salmechakal to buy
medicines.
Nara Bahadur Ghalan of Dandagaun VDC said Yadav charged Rs 300 for antibiotics Azithromycin and Ofloxacin and Vitamin B complex.
“Yadav tells us these medicines are not for free distribution. We have no other option than to buy medicines when we need them,” said Ghalan, adding that Paracetamol is the only medicine they have been getting free of charge.
According to the villagers, Yadav has been working in the health post for the last 25 years. On most of the occasions, we have to go to Bhorleni and Hetauda in Makawanpur to for treatment, they said.
Karna Bahadur BK of Salmechakal said it takes two days to reach Dhulikhel, the district headquarters, from their village. “Yadav sells a medicine that costs around
Rs 60 for at least Rs 150,”
said BK.
Rajaram Adhikari, officiating chief of the District Health Office, said health workers cannot operate private clinics in the health posts. “There’s no shortage of medicines in health institutions in the district. We will take action against the guilty after investigation,” said Adhikari.
AHW Yadav, however, denied the charges that he was selling medicines. Villagers from at least five VDCs are receiving treatment at Taldhunga Health Post.