In a concerning incident on Saturday, several government vaccine vials were discovered discarded along the roadside near the Jalakhai area under Beleguntha block in Ganjam district. The vials, which lacked any price markings, had an expiry date of November 2026, sparking questions about why usable vaccines were disposed of prematurely.
Local residents expressed alarm over the incident, as it remains unclear who discarded the vaccines. Bhanjanagar Sub-Collector Umashankar Behera confirmed that a detailed inquiry will be conducted to determine the circumstances and hold responsible parties accountable.
This is not the first case of government medical supplies being mishandled in Odisha; in December, a large quantity of medicines meant for free distribution to the poor was found dumped on the roadside in Gajapati district, triggering widespread outrage among locals and healthcare activists.
Authorities have assured strict action following the inquiry to prevent future wastage of vital healthcare resources.
