Bilaspur: In a landmark step towards enhancing affordable healthcare, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Chhattisgarh-based subsidiary of Coal India, has inaugurated its fourth AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy. The new pharmacy, located at the Health Centre in SECL’s Indira Vihar Colony, Bilaspur, marks the 216th AMRIT pharmacy in India and makes SECL the first coal company to operate four such outlets.
The AMRIT pharmacies, a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2015, provide essential generic and branded medicines, implants, and surgical consumables at heavily subsidized rates. SECL’s latest addition to its healthcare infrastructure will serve both inpatients and outpatients, including SECL employees, the local population, and especially residents of tribal and rural communities within the coal belt region. This expansion aims to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved areas, ensuring easier access to affordable medicines.
Dr. Prem Sagar Mishra, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SECL, emphasized the company’s dedication to inclusive growth: “With the inauguration of our fourth AMRIT pharmacy, we are proud to enhance healthcare access not only for our employees but also for the larger community, particularly in tribal and rural areas. This initiative aligns with promoting inclusivity, which is one of the key focus areas of this year’s Special Campaign 4.0.”
The pharmacy, established by repurposing vacant space next to the Health Centre, stands as a testament to SECL’s adoption of best practices under Special Campaign 4.0, aimed at improving efficiency and resource utilization across sectors.
This newly opened facility joins SECL’s other AMRIT pharmacies in Central Hospitals at Gevra in Korba district (Chhattisgarh), Sohagpur in Shahdol district (Madhya Pradesh), and Chirimiri in Manendragarh-Chirimiri-Bharatpur district (Chhattisgarh). These pharmacies offer a broad selection of medications, including those for critical conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, providing patients with affordable treatment options under one roof.
By supplying medicines directly to employees and nearby communities, SECL not only ensures quality treatment but also helps in reducing medical reimbursement costs. This initiative supports the company’s broader goal of promoting sustainable healthcare access and responsible resource management.