Using E-Vouchers, Such Patients Will Be Able To Claim Their Medicines For Free From Their Nearest Chemist
Mumbai : The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in collaboration with PATH NGO launched an E-drug voucher service on Monday which makes available free first line treatment for all TB patients in the private sector. The whole E-drug voucher service is funded by Bill and Melinda Gates’ Foundation which had tied up with BMC in 2013 for providing financial support in prevention of TB.
The main objective of E-drug voucher service is to provide hassle-free, paper-less and cash-less services to people. The doctor’s prescription will be communicated to the call-center’s toll free number- 1800-103-8701. The patient has to give in their details which will include patient ID, name of the patient, hospital and treating doctor. Therefore, an e-voucher will be generated and the patient will be provided with an e-voucher number through SMS. The patient can then visit his nearby chemist and get the medicines free of cost on the basis of his e-voucher.
Speaking on the occasion, Sitaram Kunte, Municipal Commissioner of BMC, said, “This is one step ahead in the prevention of TB. We are looking forward to this service which will enable patients to sustain ther treatment. Also, it will help us maintain records of the patients who discontinue their treatment. If we come across any patient who has stopped it, then we will follow-up on him. Our motto is to make India a TB-free country and such initiative will help us in achieving our aim.”
For E-Voucher service, 1,389 private doctors, 88 private hospitals and 92 chemists have agreed to participate and contribute. Also, doctors who are interested in partnering with the initiative by BMC can contact on 9820504864. Dr Vikas Oswal, chest physician, said, “The treatment of TB becomes costlier with each passing day because of its expensive medicines. This leads
to patients discontinuing their treatment mid-way which ultimately reduces their chances of survival. Therefore, the E-voucher drug service will enable all TB patients in private sector to get free treatment; which will encourage them to complete their TB treatment till the time they are cured.”