Punjab to provide drugs at subsidised rates to cancer patients

The Punjab government today said it will provide drugs at subsidised rates to hepatitis and cancer patients in government hospitals.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab's Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Vini Mahajan said these medicines will be provided to patients through Jan Aushadhi Stores functional at various District and Sub-Divisional Hospitals.
She said these medicines can also be procured directly by medical colleges or hospitals from available budgetary grants from time to time.
Mahajan said the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) has proposed to enter into a contract with manufacturers of drugs for treatment of Hepatitis B and C which fulfils the eligibility criteria approved by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab for supply of drugs.

Meanwhile, Mahajan said in Ropar that the government will soon start 'Toll Free 104' help line in the state, which will help people to locate health centres, lodge complaints against non-availability of doctors and medicines in the state-run hospitals.
Talking to reporters, Mahajan said the helpline would be major step towards revamping health services in the state.