Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Mar 5(KNS): Patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) who depend on dialysis at District Hospital Bandipora are facing immense hardships as the essential Erythropoietin (EPO) injection has reportedly been unavailable at the hospital for nearly a month.
Patients undergoing dialysis said they have been asked to purchase the costly injection from private medical stores due to the shortage in the hospital. The medicine, which is considered crucial for dialysis patients, costs around ?3200 in the open market depending on the dosage, placing a heavy financial burden on patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
Medical experts said EPO injections are vital for kidney failure patients as their bodies are unable to produce the hormone necessary for the formation of red blood cells. The injection helps maintain haemoglobin levels and prevents severe anaemia, weakness, breathlessness and other complications.
Patients said that without the injection, they may require repeated blood transfusions and face serious health risks. “We are already struggling with our illness, and buying such expensive injections every week is extremely difficult for us,” said a patient undergoing regular dialysis.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Local residents have also raised concerns over the shortage, alleging that such disruptions force poor patients to buy medicines from the market at high prices.
It is pertinent to mention that the hospital had also faced a shortage of supplies in its dental section for nearly a month in December last year. The issue had drawn public criticism after a large quantity of expired medicines was later disposed of within the hospital premises, prompting an internal inquiry.
When contacted, Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora Dr Mukhtar acknowledged the shortage and said the injection was currently not available at the facility.
He said the supply issue was related to the government supply chain and hoped that stocks would be replenished soon.
Chief Medical Officer Bandipora also confirmed that he had received complaints regarding the shortage and said the matter would be taken up with the concerned drug store and the government supply agency.
However, officials at CHC Sumbal said that there was no shortage of the EPO injection at their dialysis centre.(KNS).