Cuttack: The Orissa high court pulled up the state govt over delays in implementing digital display boards at Niramaya Centres (free medicine counters) in SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), seeking a status update by May 7.The digital boards aimed at providing patients with updated information on drug stocks at Niramaya centres are expected to improve transparency and reduce inconvenience for patients and attendants.A two-judge bench comprising Justices K R Mohapatra and Justice V Narasingh was reviewing progress of installation of digital display boards at the six Niramaya centres at SCBMCH on March 26.During an earlier hearing on the issue on Feb 26, it was submitted by the state govt that installation of digital display boards giving real-time information regarding availability of medicines in Niramaya centres in the vicinity of the hospital, forms part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. The scheme will be implemented in Odisha after obtaining necessary approvals.But on March 26, appearing for the state, additional govt advocate Debasis Nayak told the court that they are yet to prepare the proposal to be submitted to the Centre for implementation of the scheme.Nayak said the project involves multiple components, including procurement of hardware and engagement of manpower, requiring detailed examination at different administrative levels and consultations with stakeholders. The court was further informed that preparation of a comprehensive proposal for submission to the Centre would take at least two months.The bench noted that despite earlier submissions on Feb 26 indicating that the scheme would be implemented after approvals, no concrete progress has been made so far.Taking the submission on record, the court adjourned the matter to May 7 and directed the state to apprise it of developments through an affidavit to be filed by a competent officer.The installation of digital display boards at Niramaya centres assumes significance as the SCBMCH authorities had segregated the outlets to streamline the drug distribution system and prevent long waiting time for patients and their attendants. At present, there are six Niramaya centres in SCBMCH.With the segregation, patients and their attendants no longer have to move from one Niramaya centre to another to avail medicine and can easily get them from the outlet near the outdoor wings of different departments which they go for consultation.
