Chandigarh: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India based in Chhattisgarh, has opened its fourth AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacy at the Health Centre in Indira Vihar Colony, Bilaspur. With this launch, SECL has become the first coal company in India to operate four AMRIT pharmacies.

AMRIT pharmacies, a key initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched in 2015, provide affordable access to a variety of generic and life-saving branded drugs, surgical consumables, and implants at subsidized rates. SECL’s new pharmacy will cater to both inpatients and outpatients, benefiting its employees, the local population, and particularly those from rural and tribal areas in the coal belt.

SECL's CMD, Prem Sagar Mishra, noted that this effort reflects the company's focus on inclusive development, with the pharmacy serving as a valuable resource for the wider community, especially those in underserved regions. The initiative aligns with Special Campaign 4.0, which emphasizes inclusivity and sustainable growth.

The new pharmacy was established by repurposing unused space adjacent to the Health Centre, making it an example of effective use of resources under the Special Campaign 4.0. SECL's other AMRIT pharmacies are located in its Central Hospitals in Gevra (Korba district, Chhattisgarh), Sohagpur (Shahdol district, Madhya Pradesh), and Chirimiri (Manendragarh-Chirimiri-Bharatpur district, Chhattisgarh). These pharmacies provide access to critical medications for conditions like cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

By providing medicines directly through these pharmacies, SECL aims to lower medical costs while ensuring that employees and local residents receive quality healthcare.

BI Bureau