Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy has said that the public need not worry about the quality of drugs distributed by the State government. She was addressing the annual day celebrations of Oushadhi here on Sunday.
“The State government purchases only high-quality drugs for distribution among public. Drugs given by the Centre, on the other hand, have triggered controversies. Take the case of the filariasis drugs. The State government has received nine crore filariasis tablets from the Centre for distribution. Stocking the drugs is a major task,” she said.
She stated that the government had decided to give permanent positions to temporary workers in Oushadhi, who have more than 10 years of service. “I will make efforts to revise the salary of Oushadhi employees. But the Health Department alone cannot take a decision on salary revision,” she said.
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Rajaji Mathew Thomas, MLA, also spoke.
Earlier, the Health Minister inaugurated a traffic island set up by Oushadhi at Patturaikkal junction. The island, designed by M.M. Vinod Kumar, uses natural materials such as laterite, mud and lime. ‘Vayambu' (Acorus Calamus) plants, which are used in ayurveda drugs, have been planted in the island. Mayor R. Bindu and Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan were present.
BJP activists shouted slogans at the venue demanding the traffic circle be named ‘Vivekananda Square'.
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