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Health workers rendering yeoman service in Dibrugarh

By Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, May 7 - Had it not been the yeoman service of the health workers of the district, health of several home stationed patients would have been at terrible risk as they failed to acquire their essential medicines due to the movement restrictions, given the COVID-19 induced lockdown.

After the State government launched �Dhanwantari� scheme on April 24 to deliver medicines to patients who cannot acquire medicines within 10 kilometre radius distance, the health workers here reached out to some 86 patients far and wide until May 7.

Under the �Dhanwantari� scheme, a patient has to dial the toll-free health helpline �104� number to register and are required to send their prescriptions to the WhatsApp number of District Drug Store Manager (DDSM). The DDSM or the Store in Charge then facilitates delivery through the ground health workers at block PHCs. Accordingly altogether 135 calls were registered from the district at �104� health helpline toll-free number.

�We have reached out to some 83 patients so far while process to reach out to the rest is under way. Majority of those who availed the home delivery service included cancer, kidney, blood sugar, hypertension and psychiatric patients besides also pregnant women. Medicines have been delivered at all areas under block PHCs of Naharani, Khowang, Barbaruah, Lowahal ,Tengakhat, Panitola and also at Dibrugarh urban by the health workers,� Mrigen Yadav, Multi-Purpose Worker (MPW) of the Health department based in Dibrugarh told The Assam Tribune.

The home delivery of medicines by the local health workers has been hailed by the general masses as it has really helped those ailing and requiring regular medicines. Multi-Purpose Worker Yadav said that DDSM Dibyajyoti Handique and Drug Store in Charge Pankaj Buragohain have been playing a pivotal role in the home delivery system.

A distressed woman in remote Shantipur village, some 70 kilometres from here, expressed great relief on receiving medicines for her husband from a health worker from Naharani block PHC. She said that her husband who had almost recovered from psychiatric illness relapsed for lack of medicines. �The medicines are available only in Dibrugarh. I am not in a position to move out as my only son has also injured his hand. It pained me to see my husband�s condition deteriorate day by day. The lockdown restrictions had nearly shattered all hopes but I relied on prayers. I kept my trust on God to do something for me and finally my prayers were heard,� the woman said as she shared her ordeal with The Assam Tribune.

The unfortunate woman is a daily wage earner. She works at the nearby tea factory and is the lone bread earner for her family.

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