Latest news with #GGHs
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Government general hospital in Vijayawada faces shortage of nursing orderlies and support staff
Vijayawada: Shortage of female nursing orderlies (FNOs) and male nursing orderlies (MNOs) at the Vijayawada govt general hospital (GGH) often forces patient attenders to handle patient mobility themselves. This includes shifting patients from hospital wards to scan centres and diagnostic labs using wheelchairs and stretchers. Moreover, complaints about these healthcare assistants demanding money from patients and their attenders in exchange for assistance with patient mobility continue to emerge from time to time, as the govt hospital struggles with a shortage of support staff. "The GGH has 106 FNOs/MNOs rendering services as healthcare assistants for patient care. Of the total 106 strength, four assistants went on long leave and did not attend their duties over the last few months. With the limited availability of the healthcare assistants, the hospital management is assisting patients using most of their services during the daytime to maximise the benefit in patient care," said GGH health inspector Somaraju. At the GGH, the authorities allocated duties to FNOs/MNOs in three shifts (i.e., by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo shift A, B, C) wherein shift A starts at 8 am and ends at 2 pm, while shift B starts at 2 pm and ends at 8 pm. In the third shift, which is shift C, the assistants have to be on a 12-hour night duty from 8 pm to 8 am. Each FNO/MNO is paid Rs 13,000 net salary excluding Rs 2,000 PF, ESI, and other deductions. According to the health inspector, the GGH needs around 300 to 350 FNOs/MNOs daily to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services to the patients. However, the shortage of healthcare assistants continues to plague the patients from accessing healthcare services. "The issue has been there for many months and health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, during a recent inspection of the GGH, took stock of the healthcare assistants shortage and promised to fill all the assistant vacancies across all govt hospitals in the state. We are waiting for the health department to take up a state-wide drive to fill the vacant healthcare assistant posts in hospitals," health inspector Somaraju said. GGH superintendent Dr AV Rao said: "We have proposed to form an agency and recruit FNO/MNO workers on an outsourcing basis as the govt recruitment drive is getting delayed. Proposals have been sent in that regard and we are waiting for the govt's response as it is again the state govt's duty to form an agency and recruit assistants on an outsourcing basis. We are hoping that the issue will be resolved soon as the health minister and department are working to address the assistants shortage issue at the GGHs. "
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Red Cross Society to open Jan Aushadhi stores at all Andhra Pradesh govt general hospitals
VIJAYAWADA: In a move to make essential medicines more affordable and curb profiteering, the State government has permitted the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) to set up Jan Aushadhi medical stores in all 26 district Government General Hospitals (GGHs). The decision follows concerns raised by the Director of Medical Education (DME), who noted irregular pricing and profiteering at generic medicine shops in teaching hospitals. Many of these outlets, initially allotted to Self-Help Groups, are now reportedly operated by private individuals offering inconsistent discounts. The Jan Aushadhi outlets will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), a Union government initiative that ensures quality generic medicines at affordable prices. The PMBJP model, overseen by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, sources medicines directly from manufacturers through a transparent tendering process. Drugs are sold at printed MRP with a fixed 15% margin, ensuring affordability and quality assurance. Hospital Development Societies, in consultation with the Roads and Buildings Department, will finalise lease rates for the Red Cross-operated outlets. The initiative is expected to regulate access to essential medicines statewide.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Andhra government to set up Jan Aushadhi shops at all GGHs to curb overpricing on drugs
VIJAYAWADA: The State health department has decided to set up Jan Aushadhi shops at all Government General Hospitals (GGHs) to provide affordable generic medicines and curb excessive pricing by private drug retailers. Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav approved the initiative following a review of existing private medical stores operating at 16 GGHs. Currently, 23 private stores operate in these hospitals, while Nandyal GGH has none. These stores have been flagged for charging profit margins ranging from 50% to 600% on certain drugs, officials said. The proposed Jan Aushadi outlets will be run by the Indian Red Cross Society under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadi Pariyojana (PM-BJAP). The scheme mandates a maximum profit margin of 15%, aiming to prevent price exploitation. Sales will be monitored using software developed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to ensure pricing transparency. Officials highlighted that many private stores currently operate under the guise of self-help groups or cooperative societies but exploit pricing loopholes, sell branded drugs without prescriptions, and stock only 30% to 40% of essential generic medicines. Jan Aushadhi shops will primarily stock generic drugs, with exceptions for branded medicines permitted only with prior approval and when generic alternatives are unavailable. Minister Yadav has also directed health officials to assess the feasibility of expanding Jan Aushadhi outlets to District and Area Hospitals, given the higher patient footfall in these facilities. District Collectors, who head local Red Cross branches, will oversee the rollout and functioning of these stores to ensure accountability and better patient service, officials added.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Jan Aushadi shops to come up at all govt General Hospitals in AP
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Health Ministry has decided to introduce 'Jan Aushadi' shops at all the Government General Hospitals (GGH) to ensure availability of required quality generic medicines at affordable prices to a large number of patients visiting government hospitals. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav approved a proposal in this regard for operating Jan Aushadi shops at all the 17 Government General Hospitals (GGHs). The Minister also directed the officials to explore the possibility of running such shops at district and area hospitals also in the state. This decision has been taken in the context of present operators of generic medical shops at GGHs charging a profit margin of 50 per cent to a high of 600 per cent in some cases. At present, 23 private generic medicine stores are running at 16 GGH while Nandyal GGH has no such store. Indian Red Cross Society, a reputed no-profit organization, will set up and operate these Jan Aushadi shops as per the approval. Deficiencies in the present system Generic medicine retailers currently operating at 16 GGHs are taking advantage of the loopholes in the manufacturing and pricing of generic drugs and inadequate controls and are exploiting the patients. The manufacturers of generic medicines are printing very high MRPs (maximum retail price) against which the retailers are offering different discounts at different places on different medicines and in the process, making huge profits in the range of 50 per cent to 600 per cent. Also, they are making available only about 30 per cent to 40 per cent of generic drugs required and supplying costly branded drugs for the rest. While the present 23 generic shops have been allocated to self-help groups and other societies, private persons are reported to be running them with an aim to make huge profits. Jan Aushadi benefits To address the deficiencies in the present system, central government has introduced 'Pradhan Mantri- Bharatiya Jan Aushadi Pariyojana' (PM-BJP) to enable supply of quality generic drugs at affordable prices to the patients across the country. Under this scheme, Department of Pharmaceuticals of Govt. of India procures generic drugs with standard MRP printed for supplying to Jan Aushadi shops which in turn sell them with only 15 per cent profit margin, thus benefitting patients. Every sale is to be recorded on the special software developed by the central government which prevents malpractices since the retailers can't manipulate selling prices of generic medicines. In addition, Jan Aushadi shops will not sell costly branded drugs except in very rare cases. While approving the proposal for introduction of Jan Aushadi shops at GGHs in the state, Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Saturday directed the officials to examine the possibility of their operation at Area and District Hospitals as well given the advantages to patients.
