October 03, 2005, Asian Age
Kolkata


According to recently published results of a survey conducted by Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) and Community Development Medical Unit (CMDU), some of the big and reputed government hospitals across the state are not equipped even with drugs to combat diseases as a bacterial infection..

The survey, financed by World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Action International (HAI), was carried out in 26 government hospitals and 35 private clinics in Kolkata as well as seven districts including Jalpaiguri, Malda, Burdwan, West Medinipur and South 24 Parganas from September to December in 2004.

A meager 40.6 per cent or 13 of 32 drugs, used to cure general ailments like bacterial and fungal infections, diarrhea, epilepsy, asthma and even heart attacks, was found to be available in the government hospitals. Reportedly, the availability ratio was better in the private clinics in the same period. Apart from district, sub-divisional and rural hospitals, some of the major city based government hospitals like SSKM Hospital, Shambhunath Pandit Hospital, NRS Hospital and RG Kar Hospi6tal featured in thelist of surveyed hospitals. Only four out of the seven antibacterial were available according to the reports. Medicines like Aciclovir, Fluconazole, Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, used to cure bacterial and other infections, were not available in government hospitals.