Mysuru: Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ramesh Kumar chaired a review meeting at Zilla Panchayat auditorium here this morning. Over 100 officials of Health Department of Mysuru Division from Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Chikkamagalur and Kodagu districts attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramesh Kumar asked officials to open generic medicine outlets at Government Hospitals and Primary Health Centres to help poor patients.

When Health officials complained of shortage of pharmacists in Government Hospitals, the Minister assured to look into the problem. Referring to the alleged shortage of Anaesthetists at Government Hospitals, Ramesh Kumar asked the officials to take the assistance of Anaesthetists of neighbouring Government Hospital till the issue was resolved.

When Ramesh Kumar asked officials about generic medicine outlet at Chamarajanagar Government Hospital, he was shocked to learn that one ‘Jana Sanjeevini’ was functioning there selling branded medicines operated by a private party and not generic medicines as the name suggested. The Minister sought more information on the matter.

Ratan Kelkar, Director, National Rural Health Mission, Bengaluru, Manoj Kumar Meena, Commissioner, Department of Health and Family Planning, Ajay Seth, Additional Chief Secretary, D. Randeep, Deputy Commissioner and Shivashankar, ZP CEO were present.