KHAIRPUR, Jan 25: Supply of medicines to the district health facilities, which was scheduled in September 2003, had not begun yet, investigation by this correspondent revealed.

The facilities which have been denied medicines include 74 Basic Health Units, 12 Rural Health Centres, three dispensaries and a taluka hospital. It was learnt that Rs20 million were allocated in the district government budget for provision of medicines to the health facilities.

A committee headed by the DCO and comprising members of Awam Dost and rival Khairpur Dost groups of the district council and senior doctors, was formed for the purchase of medicines.

The first instalment of Rs10 million was released by the Sindh finance department through the health department whose secretary has not given the amount to the health EDO.

The Sindh government has directed that tenders should be invited for the purchase of medicines and release of the amount was stopped as no tender was invited.

Moreover, the Sindh chief secretary Sindh issued a notification on Jan 7 to the DCOs in the province, stating that medicines for government hospital were to be purchased through the health department.

The circumstances have led to a halt to the provision of medicines to the health centres the district. When contacted, District Nazim Khairpur Nafisa Shah said that the medicines purchase was a prerogative of the district government budget and the health department had nothing to do with it. However, she added, the health department could monitor the process or hold enquiry in case of any complaint.

She termed the medicine purchase through health department an interference in the district government affairs. She warned that if the interference continued, the district government would move a court of law.

She deplored that due to the lack of medicines at the health facilities, the patients were facing hardships for the last five months. She said that no life saving drug was available at any health centre and those bitten by pye-dog or snake were among those who suffered the most.

Clash: Thirteen persons were injured in a clash over water distribution between two groups of the Junejo clan in Wangpakhi village near Gambat on Saturday.