Government medical hospitals and colleges in the state will have to wait another two months to get their hands on fresh stock of medicines, as per sources in the state health department and Haffkine—the central purchasing authority for medicines and non-surgical items. An official said Covid third wave and no response from bidders are the main reasons behind the delay in procuring the medicines.

The issue of non-availability of medicines at Sir JJ Hospital and the resultant plight of the patients were highlighted by mid-day in a report on Tuesday. The hospital management claimed that as per procedure, they sent their requirements to the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) which is to send the same to Haffkine. An official from Haffkine, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “We have got a deadline to resolve the issue within two months.”