The government hospitals in the state have come under the scanner with a
young girl in Rajahmundry succumbing to a mad dog's bite because of the inavailability of the rabies vaccine at the government hospital where she was admitted.
On digging deeper, the irregularities in the dissemination of medical supplies to the government hospitals in the state have surfaced. It was found that the medical cabinets of government hospitals are ill-stocked, as the authorities concerned are unable to pay the medical suppliers.
Those who seek medical help at the government hospitals are forced to return home empty-handed, as they can not afford the prescribed medicines at private pharmacies. The government hospitals are the only option available to the just-above-poverty-line multitudes in the state, as their incomes place private hospitals and pharmacies way out of their reach.
It has been estimated that about 70% of the government hospitals do not have antidotes for dog and snake bites, even though Rs. 15 crores and Rs. 2 crores are reportedly spent on the vaccines for dog and snake poison, respectively.
Medical Director Aruna Kumari acknowledged that there was a 10-day break in the dispersion of medical supplies to hospitals, but that 85,000 vials of vaccines were distributed to government hospitals so far.