‘Jamshedpur’s MGM hospital left with only 30 vials of Remdesivir’
JAMSHEDPUR: After receiving 495 vials of Remdesivir injections between August 2020 and April 2021, one of the major government-owned hospitals in Jamshedpur, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) was now left with only 30 units of the Covid-19 drug, officials said on Monday.
“Of the total allotment, 465 vials have been used so far at MGMMCH and distributed among other hospitals on loan basis with the consent of the district administration. We are presently left with only 30 vials,” said MGMMCH deputy superintendent Dr Nakul P Chowdhury.
Meanwhile, 1,597 vials were sent to the civil surgeon’s office during the aforementioned period and the Sadar Hospital was now left with 216 vials.“We received 1,597 vials of Remdesivir injections between August 22 last year and April 26 this year. We have used and distributed 1,381 vials between August 24 last year and May 2 this year. We are now left with only 216 vials,” Dr AK Lal, civil surgeon, said.
Both the civil surgeon’s office and MGMMCH sent detailed reports on Remdesivir injections and its utilisation during the period to the state health department.
The state health department and state drug controller’s office sought reports on the same from all government and private hospitals in all 24 districts in wake of Jharkhand high court (HC) ordering investigation and necessary steps to pre-empt and prevent possible black marketing of Remdesivir injections on Thursday last.
Meanwhile, Kolhan DIG Rajiv Ranjan Singh instructed Jamshedpur SSP Dr M Tamil Vanan to deploy police sleuths at all government and private Covid-19 hospitals in the city to check black marketing of the injections. “I have directed the SSP to depute police sleuths in civilian clothes at hospitals to keep close vigil and check possible attempt of black marketing of Remdesivir injections, oxygen cylinders, flow meters, oximeters and all lifesaving medicines for Covid-19 patients as per HC order,” he said. “We have instructed all incident commanders to keep an eye on such developments. We also appeal people to contact the administration in case of any such problem and lodge complaints,” Nitish Kumar Singh, Jamshedpur SDO, said.
Jamshedpur drug inspector Rajiv Ekka said they have written to all private hospital managements to file daily use report of Remdesivir injections and ensure that no patient is asked to procure it on their own.
“Remdesivir is a controlled medicine and not available in open market - either wholesale or retail. Private hospitals are allotted Remdesivir injections directly by state drug controller’s office, while government hospitals get it under National Health Mission. We are keeping close eye on market movements as well,” said Ekka.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Anil Modi requested action against certain hospitals allegedly asking patient parties to arrange the injections on their own. “I have written to the DC requesting action in this regard and ensure that patients are provided Remdesivir injections by hospitals,” said Modi.