New Delhi, Nov 7 (NationPress) Delhi's Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh asserted on Friday that there is no shortage of medicines and consumables in government hospitals, dismissing claims made in a media report as “unfounded”.

Minister Singh conducted an assessment of drug availability in government healthcare facilities and accused the media report of attempting to instill unnecessary panic among the public.

Following this assessment, Medical Superintendents from various hospitals, including Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, confirmed that essential medicines are sufficiently stocked.

A comprehensive report from Lok Nayak Hospital and Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital was provided, detailing the status of all items referenced in the article.

The communication from Lok Nayak Hospital stated, “The report is factually incorrect and misleading. All essential and life-saving medicines, as per the Delhi Government's approved drug list, are adequately available in the hospital.”

“The claims of shortages seem to have been made without verifying the actual situation. Furthermore, to ensure seamless patient care, a strong supply chain mechanism is in place, monitoring daily stock positions, and any identified shortfalls are swiftly replenished through the approved procurement channel,” the report added.

The findings from LNJP, Sanjay Gandhi Memorial, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, and Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospitals validate the presence of over 40 critical items, including vital injections such as Amikacin, Meropenem, and Vancomycin, alongside vaccines, syrups, tablets, and essential surgical supplies like IV cannulas and normal saline.

“The report published is unfounded and is generating unnecessary fear among the populace. Since medicines are a vital need, the media should avoid making such unverified claims that create alarm among the public. The Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government is dedicated to ensuring uninterrupted access to free medicines and quality healthcare for all citizens in its hospitals,” stated Pankaj Kumar Singh, the Health Minister of Delhi.

However, the government hospitals’ report did acknowledge that a few specific items, such as Injection Linezolid and Syrup Ipravent, are currently unavailable as they do not fall within the Essential Drug List (EDL), with suitable alternatives present in the hospital's inventory to be distributed to patients.

The report further highlighted that the supply of medicines and surgical consumables is a continuous process, with any shortages promptly addressed through timely procurement.