In a remarkable step toward affordable healthcare, the Lambra Kangri Multipurpose Co-operative Service Society of Hoshiarpur has inaugurated a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra in Lambra village. The newly launched facility is set to revolutionize access to essential medicines by offering them at drastically reduced prices—a move that has been warmly welcomed by local residents.
For many villagers, purchasing medicine from distant pharmacies had long been a financial burden. Chander Dev Singh, a 71-year-old resident managing both heart complications and diabetes, shared his relief: “I used to shell out more than Rs 8,500 every month on medicine. Recently, I started buying medicine from Janaushadhi Kendra. Now, the bill comes less than Rs 2,000.” This significant reduction in expenses is proving to be a lifeline for patients in the region.
The Kendra is staffed by experts including Muskan, a holder of a B.Pharma degree, who confirmed that medicines are now available at discounts of up to 90 percent compared to market rates. “For instance, a medicine to treat thyroid conditions that typically costs between Rs 170 and Rs 250 is now sold for just Rs 55,” she explained, emphasizing that all medications are procured from authorized dealers to ensure quality and safety.
Jaswinder Singh, the project director of the society, highlighted that setting up the Janaushadhi Kendra required only a modest space of 120 square feet, along with an air-conditioner and refrigerator to maintain the integrity of the stock. The facility has already passed inspection by the Food and Drug Administration, ensuring that it meets all necessary regulatory standards.
Established in 1920, the society has a long history of serving the community with innovative solutions. In 2016, it spearheaded the introduction of a biogas plant in Lambra, enabling villagers to transition from expensive LPG cylinders to a more economical and environmentally friendly piped biogas system. The biogas initiative has even benefited the Government Senior Secondary School, Lambra, where the school’s mid-day meals are now prepared using the piped gas.
The society’s contributions to sustainable development have not gone unnoticed. It was honored with the State Award by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Independence Day 2024, and later recognized internationally with the Dr Shirin Gadhia Sustainability Award by Eco Center ICNEER, in collaboration with Muni Sewa Ashram. These accolades celebrate the society’s commitment to eco-friendly solutions and community welfare.
In another innovative venture, the society has found a practical use for rice husk ash—a byproduct that previously posed a disposal challenge. The ash is now employed to purify water, a project that recently attracted attention from a US delegation keen to observe the working model of this sustainable technology.
The Lambra Kangri Multipurpose Co-operative Service Society continues to push the boundaries of community service and environmental stewardship. With initiatives like the Janaushadhi Kendra and the biogas plant, the society not only addresses the immediate needs of affordable healthcare but also paves the way for long-term sustainable development in the region.
