Residents in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district were left shocked and angry after reports surfaced that expired medicines were allegedly distributed to patients at the Ayushman Bharat Comprehensive Primary Health Centre (PHC) Odina.
According to locals, a female patient seeking treatment for bone and joint pain was prescribed medication by a medical officer stationed at the PHC. After collecting her medicines, she discovered that the tablets had already crossed their expiry date.
“We are being handed expired medicines that could harm our health. This is not just negligence — it’s a threat to patient safety,” the woman said, displaying the expired strips in disbelief.
Her attendants echoed the concern, claiming that dispensary staff distributed the expired stock without checking expiry details. “We urge the authorities to investigate this matter seriously. Whether it was an oversight or a deliberate act, it cannot go unchecked,” they said.
Responding to the allegations, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Hajin, Dr. Syed Idrees Andrabi, confirmed that an official inquiry has been initiated. “We have taken immediate cognizance of the matter. A committee will investigate, and if the allegations are found true, strict disciplinary action will follow,” he stated.
Locals have appealed to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for urgent intervention, emphasizing that rural healthcare facilities must not become places where accountability is compromised.
In times when trust in healthcare is vital, incidents like this shake the very foundation of community faith. Every patient deserves safe and responsible care — not expired medicines. Let this serve as a reminder that human lives must always come before negligence.
