Hefty Medical Bills No More: Chhattisgarh’s Shri Dhanwantari Generic Medical Stores Scheme brings relief to citizens
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Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel’s Innovative Scheme: Citizens benefit from reduced medicine costs
Citizens save big on medicines, Rs 105.83 so far
More than 60 lakh people benefitted from the scheme
Raipur 18 May 2023/ ‘Shri Dhanwantari Generic Medical Stores Yojana’, launched under the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel, aims to provide affordable and quality generic medicines to people of all age groups. This scheme has already resulted in savings of more than Rs 105 crore, bringing significant relief to the citizens of Chhattisgarh from hefty medical bills.
Under this scheme, which operates in all urban local bodies of the state, branded generic medicines from reputable companies are made available at a reduced price of 50 to 70 per cent. These stores offer a wide range of medicines for common ailments such as cold, cough, fever, blood pressure, and insulin, as well as medications for serious illnesses. Additionally, they provide antibiotics and surgical items at affordable prices, ensuring their accessibility to those in need.
The scheme was launched on October 20, 2021, by the Department of Urban Administration and Development. Under this scheme, a total of 195 Shri Dhanwantari Generic Medical Stores have been opened in all 169 urban local bodies of the state. It has been made mandatory for government doctors to prescribe generic medicines to patients visiting government hospitals for treatment. So far, the scheme has provided citizens a whopping discount of Rs 105.83 crore on the sale of medicines worth Rs 173.63 crore, benefiting those in need.
More than 60.30 lakh citizens have purchased affordable medicines from the operational Shri Dhanwantari Generic Medical Stores in various urban local bodies of the state. This has provided significant relief to people and resulted in cost savings due to the availability of medicines at much lower prices than the market. The availability and operation of medicines in these stores are monitored by Urban Administration Minister Dr. Shivkumar Dahariya. He constantly gives directions to the departmental officials to ensure the availability of high-quality generic medicines at affordable rates to address the healthcare needs of the citizens.
Urban Administration Department officials stated that a total of 20 stores are operational in Raipur district, 4 each in Mungeli, Surguja, and Gariyaband, 7 each in Balodabazar-Bhatapara and Dhamtari, 6 each in Kabirdham, Surajpur, Sakti, Korba and Mahasamund, 19 in Durg, 10 in Bilaspur, 9 in Janjgir-Champa, 8 each in Balod, Raigarh and Bemetara, 5 each in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Jashpur, Balrampur, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Dantewada and Rajnandgaon, 3 each in Bastar, Kondagaon, Sukma, Bijapur and Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, 2 each in Koriya and Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi districts, and one each in Narayanpur and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki.
