Jamshedpur: In a major relief for patients and their families, all children admitted to the paediatric ward, NICU, and PICU at MGM Hospital, Jamshedpur, will receive all required medicines under the Ayushman Bharat scheme directly from the hospital starting January 15.
The decision was taken recently by the hospital management to ensure that families are no longer forced to purchase essential medicines from outside medical stores due to non-availability within the hospital. Earlier, parents and attendants often had to arrange medicines at their own expense, causing financial strain, especially for economically weaker families.
Relief for Poor and Underprivileged Families
Dr Ravindra Kumar, Head of the Paediatrics Department, said the absence of Ayushman-linked medicine supply had been causing significant hardship to patients. “With the implementation of this facility, poor families who cannot afford to buy medicines from outside will benefit the most. Now, all essential drugs will be made available within the hospital itself,” he said.
He added that the paediatrics department currently has 60 beds, of which around 35 are occupied by children undergoing treatment.
Rising Viral Fever Cases Among Children
Paediatrician Dr Raghavendra said that a large number of children are currently being admitted due to viral fever and seasonal illnesses. “Earlier, several important medicines were not available in the hospital and had to be purchased from outside. With Ayushman now in place, no family will need to buy medicines externally. Required drugs will be procured under the Ayushman scheme and provided to patients,” he said.
He further informed that the paediatric OPD at MGM Hospital sees around 60 to 70 children every day.
Strengthening Ayushman Healthcare Access
The move is expected to significantly improve healthcare access for children enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for families, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
Hospital authorities said the initiative will help ensure timely treatment, better compliance with medication, and improved overall patient care in one of Jamshedpur’s largest government hospitals.
