Streamlined Drug Delivery System: An initiative by Punjab Health and Wellness Centre
The credibility of Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) rests on the availability of health care services and free essential medications and diagnostic tests fulfilling the health care needs of the population at their doors steps.
Availability of essential medicines is a key priority for a continuum of care at Punjab Health and Wellness Centre. Assured availability of medications at HWCs supports in treatment compliance of the patients as patients generally discontinue the treatment due to the challenges of medicine refills seen specifically in long-term illness cases. A streamlined drug supply of medicines at HWCs would establish the integrity of the public health care delivery system.
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To address the issue of poor supply chain mechanism of drugs to the HWCs, Govt. of Punjab has developed a streamlined distribution mechanism, logistic system and assured availability of essential medicines to the remotest HWC. This drug delivery system is implemented as pilot project for 351 HWCs in 4 districts (Ropar, Mohali, Patiala and Fatehgarh sahib) and to be extended across the state in all 22 districts by 2022.
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu flagged off a medicine delivery van on March 22, 2021, delivering medicines in 72 HWCs in district Mohali firstly.
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A drug delivery van will collect the medicines from the regional warehouse as per the demand and supply the medicines to HWCs directly.
Dr Areet Kaur, Director NHM Punjab said, “Assured availability of essential Drugs at the remotest HWCs plays a pivotal role in strengthening Comprehensive Primary Health Care Services.
Community Health Officer, Sunaina Arora said, “This initiative would reduce the issue of lag between the demand raised and medicines received at HWCs. In addition to this, it would be helpful in resolving the logistic related difficulties and ensuring uninterrupted supply of medicines to the HWCs.”
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