Sharmili Mallick

Rayagada: Amidst the claims that the Odisha government is providing better and timely healthcare services, a cancer-stricken Ganesh Choudhury of Kampamaligam village in Rayagada district has been struggling to get medicines for his treatment.

Ganesh, who is suffering from Bone Marrow Cancer, first approached Rayagada Hospital for the drugs but reportedly failed to get the medicines. However, the hospital authorities helped him get some paper works done to get the medicines from Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack.

Later, Ganesh reached Cuttack to get the anti-cancer drugs but he had to return empty-handed. Reason, he reached the centre late and the stock was given away to SCB Medical College and Hospital.

“My treatment is over and I am on medication now. I was advised to take the medicines regularly for speedy recovery but even after three weeks, I am yet to get the drugs," said an ailing Choudhury.

Speaking on the issue, Rayagada Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Artabandhu Nayak said, “The medicine is available only with Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack. Though we immediately informed the centre about Ganesh, he did not get the medicine due to unavailability of stock."

Such medicines are provided on first-cum-first-service-basis but the Cancer centre has assured that the medicine will be dispatched as soon as the stock arrives, added Nayak.

The store medical officer of Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre said, "We had 1,800 tablets but by the time the patient (Choudhury) reached the centre, the medicines were already supplied to SCB Hospital. However, he can avail the medicines from SCB."

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