While the nation's attention is focussed on the tragedy in Uttarakhand, a similar catastrophe is unfolding in the health sector. There is a huge shortage of life-saving drugs meant for tuberculosis patients, not because there is not enough medicine manufactured in the country but simply because of bureaucratic delays in procurement. Patients are suffering and worse, drug-resistance is growing alarmingly. Treatment that should cost upto Rs 2000 per patient will end up costing upto one lakh rupees.
