1 week ago
Expired Medicines Allegedly Dumped Near Odisha Hospital, Inquiry Promised
People reportedly found expired medical supplies in a river near a hospital in Odisha.
The supplies included antibiotics, masks, syringes and testing kits.
Officials have not yet confirmed who put them there or where they came from.
They also do not know the exact amount or value of the supplies.
An official said an investigation will happen if the report is true.
He said people responsible could face legal action.
An activist said similar things had happened before.
He wants officials to explain why so many supplies were bought and then left unused.
Expired antibiotics, masks, syringes and testing kits were reportedly found dumped in a river near Mayurbhanj District Headquarters Hospital.
The administration has not established the supplies’ precise quantity, value, source or alleged disposer.
Additional District Magistrate Netrananda Mallick promised an inquiry and legal action if the allegation is confirmed.
Activist Sanjeev Rout said similar incidents had occurred before and questioned the health department’s procurement and distribution practices.
The administration said the District Magistrate had recently directed medical officers to focus on rural healthcare, especially for the district’s tribal population.
- Who
- The Mayurbhanj district administration, Additional District Magistrate Netrananda Mallick and activist Sanjeev Rout are involved in the response and criticism.
- What
- Expired medicines and medical supplies were reportedly dumped in a river, prompting a possible inquiry.
- Where
- Near the Mayurbhanj District Headquarters Hospital in Odisha.
- When
- The report and official response were made recently; the exact dumping date was not stated.
- Why
- The alleged dumping raised questions about medical-supply procurement, stock management and possible legal violations; the reason for the disposal is not established.
Administration’s Position
Activist’s Concerns
Whether wrongdoing occurred
Administration’s Position
Officials have not confirmed the allegation but say an inquiry and legal action will follow if it is found to be true.
Activist’s Concerns
Rout said similar incidents had occurred before and argued that the recurring waste requires scrutiny.
Medical-supply management
Administration’s Position
The administration’s stated focus is on improving rural healthcare, particularly for the district’s tribal population; it has not yet explained the reported stock.
Activist’s Concerns
Rout questioned whether hospitals accurately assessed requirements and maintained adequate records of medicines and supplies.
Source and responsibility
Administration’s Position
Officials have not identified who allegedly discarded the supplies or determined whether they came from the district hospital.
Activist’s Concerns
Rout sought clarity on whether the supplies were purchased directly by the government or provided through another institution or intermediary.
Key facts
- Reported supplies
- Antibiotics, masks, syringes and testing kits, among other medical items.
- Location
- A river near the Mayurbhanj District Headquarters Hospital in Odisha.
- Official response
- An inquiry and legal action were promised if the allegation is confirmed.
- Official quoted
- Mayurbhanj Additional District Magistrate Netrananda Mallick.
- Unknown details
- The precise quantity, value, source and alleged disposer have not been established.
- Activist’s concern
- Sanjeev Rout questioned how medicines were ordered, purchased, supplied and allowed to remain unused.
- Healthcare directive
- The District Magistrate recently instructed medical officers to focus on rural healthcare and services for the district’s tribal population.
Quotes
Netrananda Mallick
Mayurbhanj Additional District Magistrate
“If the medicine arrived according to the requirements, why did this medicine remain left over, and why was a huge quantity — I cannot specify the exact number of lakhs, but a very large amount — thrown away?”
thestatesman.com
“If the matter is true, then I will intimate the District Magistrate, and we will conduct an inquiry, and action will be taken as per the provisions of law. There is no escape.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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