HYDERABAD, Feb 23: Despite recent supply of medicines worth around Rs4 million, the Hyderabad Civil Hospital continues to face shortage of drugs as the second quarter of the fiscal year has already begun but the inspection and import depot has not ensured full supply of medicines, due since the beginning of the year.

Sources told this correspondent that out of over Rs66 million medicines budget of the hospital, drugs of over Rs49 million were to be supplied by the I. I. depot in two instalments. Till last month, medicines of Rs10 million, nearly 20 per cent, were provided by the depot to the hospital.

The hospital gets 75 per cent medicines directly from the I. I. depot whereas the remaining 25 per cent budget is utilized on local purchase. The hospital gets this budget in two instalments.

Hospital sources said drugs of Rs4 to Rs4.5 million had recently been obtained from the I. I. depot. But a consignment were of Rs34.5 million was yet to be provided by the depot, they added.

A health official pointed out that the I. I. depot must complete all requirements and formalities much before commencement of a fiscal year to ensure on time supply of medicines to hospitals.

He said the Karachi Civil Hospital had been allowed to get 50 per cent medicines through local purchase and the remaining from the I. I. depot. However, he added, the Hyderabad hospital could obtain 25 per cent medicines through local purchase.

He maintained that either it should be ensured that medicines were provided to the civil hospital at the beginning of a fiscal year or the hospital should be allowed to purchase 50 per cent medicines locally.

Other sources said presently the budget for local purchase stood at Rs3 million to meet patients' requirements of medicines for another quarter of the fiscal year. They further said there was still a shortage of medicines because antibiotics were not available in the hospital. Since the hospital is faced with shortage of medicines, it had to utilize 25 per cent cash allocation, i.e. around Rs16.5 million, on purchase of medicines.