Ramakanta Biswas

A huge cache of medicines meant to be given to patients free of cost were reportedly set on fire and buried before their expiry date at a health centre in Cuttack district.

The incident that reportedly occurred at Jagannathpur Community Health Centre (CHC) under Mahanga block in the district came to light after a video went viral on social media.

In the video, medicines were seen in flames on the premises of the health centre. The medicines were burnt near the old building of the health centre. Besides, the drugs were found burnt and buried near the quarters of a pharmacist of the health facility.

According to sources, the medicines were supplied to the health centre under the Niramaya scheme. Most of the medicines had still time for attaining the expiry dates and can be useful to patients.  

When asked, the medical officer of the health centre, Manas Ranjan Mohanty said, “the matter will be probed and action will be taken accordingly.”

“I was unaware of the incident and leant about it from media persons. An inquiry team has been set up and a thorough probe will be conducted into the matter. We will contact pharmacist Maheswar Soren and if anything like this had happened, action will be taken accordingly,” Mohanty said. 

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