MAPUSA
The North District Hospital at Mapusa has decided to keep its pharmacy open only during the day from 8 am to 5 pm from July onwards.
According to sources, the pharmacy is presently being operated for 12 hours in two shifts, from 8 am to 2 pm and from 2 pm to 8 pm. This was considered beneficial for patients and their relatives at the hospital. However, pharmacy staff proposed shorter timings to hospital authorities and a decision was taken to reduce the timings from next month.
According to hospital sources, sufficient stock of medicines are available for patients undergoing treatment in wards. Medicines are also given to casualty patients at night.
When contacted, District Hospital Superintendent Dr Mohandas Pednekar said no pharmacy in government hospitals, including at the GMC, is kept open at night. “The timing at the North District Hospital pharmacy was till 4 pm and was later extended to 8 pm. It will now be kept open till 5 pm,” said Dr Pednekar.
