In a major step towards improving access to affordable healthcare in border areas, the Border Security Force (BSF) Tripura Frontier on Monday inaugurated a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) at Fatikcherra in West Tripura.
The Kendra was inaugurated by Inspector General (IG) of BSF Tripura Frontier, Smt. Princee Rani, in the presence of senior BSF officers, medical officers from BSF and civil hospitals, and representatives of the local border population.
The Jan Aushadhi Kendra has been established through a tripartite agreement among the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), SWADHIN Trust, and the BSF.
The initiative forms part of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), a flagship programme of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, government of India, aimed at providing quality generic medicines at affordable prices and reducing the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses of citizens.
Medicines available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are priced approximately 50 to 90 percent lower than comparable branded medicines. All medicines are quality-tested in NABL-accredited laboratories and manufactured in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards. In addition to medicines for common and chronic ailments, the centres also provide surgical products, nutraceuticals and Suvidha Sanitary Napkins at a subsidised price of Rs 1 per pad.
The newly inaugurated Fatikcherra Kendra is intended to serve serving and retired BSF personnel, their families, as well as civilians residing in border villages. Strategically located at the entrance of the BSF campus, the facility is expected to ensure easy access to affordable medicines for people living in nearby border areas.
The initiative is part of the BSF Tripura Frontier's Border Outreach Programme, under which the force regularly undertakes community welfare activities in remote and inaccessible border regions. These include state-level football and volleyball tournaments, marathons, blood donation and medical camps, distribution of sports equipment and educational materials, skill development programmes, and coaching for youth aspiring to join the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Reaffirming its commitment to holistic border area development, the BSF said the initiative reflects its continued efforts to not only safeguard the nation's borders but also promote healthcare, community welfare, youth empowerment and inclusive development among border communities.