Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said his government would distribute free medicines for all diseases, including cancer, at state-run health facilities soon.The state government would distribute quality essential medicines through its procurement agency Odisha State Medical Corporation. Taking a review meeting with district collectors through video conferencing, Patnaik said the government would provide generic medicine at three medical colleges and all the government hospitals in the state. Tertiary-level medicines for cancer and heart diseases will be part of the free drugs in government hospitals.
The chief minister directed the district collectors to personally supervise the initiative for its successful execution. A health official said the corporation has prepared a list of 570 medicines for free supply while the state government has a budget of Rs.200 crore for purchase of medicines.