Procurement of effectual medicines has become another bizarre chapter for the Tripura government to combat malaria outbreak due to central government imposed restrictions on the suppliers. A senior health official has approached authority of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) to ensure uninterrupted supply of anti-malarial medicines to save ‘precarious lives of the people’.
Meanwhile health minister Badal Choudhury chaired a high level meeting on Thursday to review malaria menace that according to official record claimed 76 lives and contacted 39,000 people across the state in past two months. 19 year old tribal girl Lilabati Reang died in Dhalai district which is centre of the current endemic.
The health department is facing problem in procuring WHO prequalified drugs from the certified medicine companies. However, these companies have regretted when approached for direct supply citing that specific medicines were meant for export and cannot supply to anywhere except Government of India in view of restrictions.
“Since we received ACT-AL from the GOI (Government of India) which was CIPLA supply, we requested them to participate in tender for supply of medicines but they mentioned they only export these products and can give only to GOI and not to the state government”, Dr Sandeep N Mahatme, state Mission Director of National Health Mission wrote to Dr Avdhesh Kumar, Additional Director of NVBDCP.
“It seems that most of these companies are exporting ACT-AL outside as they might be getting higher profits. Under these circumstances I will request Ministry to persuade these suppliers to help the state for supply of ACT AL and Artesunate in case the current supplier fails to meet the demand of the state to save precious lives of the people”, Dr Mahatme appealed.
After receiving request Dr Avdhesh Kumar of NVBDCP reverted with assurance to request the union health ministry to persuade the suppliers to help Tripura. He informed that a meeting with the Indian manufacturers (WHO certified) of ACT-AL has been convened to discuss procurement related issues.
Meanwhile health department has issued an alert over Japanese encephalitis that already poked its ugly face in neighbouring Assam. Three cases have so far been detected in Tripura.
