ATM-like Machines to Dispense Medicines for Free in Rural Madhya Pradesh

Rural Madhya Pradesh will soon have ATM-like machines that will dispense basic medicines for free without the physical presence of a pharmacist. The machine will also enable villagers to check their blood pressure and pulse rates.

Madhya Pradesh government will soon be introducing ATM-like machines that will dispense free medicines. The machine will be able to read the prescription and give the relevant medicines for free.

A local health worker will be available at these machine centres to guide people. He will also be able to check blood pressure and pulse rate of the patients.

The health worker will connect patients to the tele-medicine doctor who will register the case and alert the machine to dispense the right medicines.

Photo: teluguandhranews.com

The initiative will be first launched in five rural healthcare centres in Betul district (180 kms from Bhopal) to check the feasibility of the idea. In the starting phase, only basic medicines will be available in the machine.

The scheme which is introduced at the command of Central Medical Services Society (CMSS), a central procurement agency under Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) will be very beneficial in remote locations where there is no availability of a pharmacist or doctor.

As per the officials, the data recorded through these machines will also help in obtaining valuable epidemiological data.

Photo: india.com

It is estimated that 600 PHCs and about 24 CHCs are functioning without a single doctor. In such cases, these machines can help people in getting access to crucial medicines on time.

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