In a concerning incident, approximately 9,000 buprenorphine and naloxone tablets were reported stolen from the sub-divisional hospital in Bhadaur, Barnala district. The local health department is now looking into the possibility of an insider's involvement in this theft.
The civil surgeon in Barnala has raised questions about the delayed reporting of the theft. The senior medical officer (SMO) is under scrutiny for not informing the department until two days after the incident took place. This lapse in communication has led to suspicions of an internal involvement in the theft.
The local police in Bhadaur initiated an investigation into the theft, registering a case of theft on Tuesday. It's worth noting that the incident occurred on a Sunday, but the case wasn't reported until two days later, raising concerns about the efficiency of the hospital's security and communication protocols.
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The stolen tablets were intended to be distributed at Opioid Substitution Therapy (OOAT) centers. Buprenorphine, one of the stolen substances, is crucial for treating individuals addicted to opium-based drugs. This theft not only raises questions about security but also threatens the well-being of those who rely on these medications for addiction treatment.
The SMO, Dr. Rubi, stated that she had informed relevant parties over the phone due to a malfunctioning office printer, which prevented her from sharing the information in written form. She also claimed to have reported the theft in writing to the police on Monday, but they only received the report on Tuesday.
Barnala's civil surgeon, Dr. Jasbir Aulakh, expressed concern about the significant quantity of tablets stolen and suggested that such a large-scale theft would be difficult without insider involvement. He was particularly troubled by the fact that he learned about the theft through the media rather than official channels, and he has called for an explanation from the SMO.
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The local police have registered a case against unidentified individuals under sections 380 (theft) and 454 (lurking house-trespass) of the Indian Penal Code at the Bhadaur police station. An investigation is ongoing to identify those responsible for the theft.
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