Three homoeopathic dispensaries of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), which are lying defunct for almost five years in the absence of doctors, are likely to be reopened very soon.

RMC has decided to reopen the three dispensaries at Kokar, Main Road and Ratu Road where doctors will provide free treatment.

“These dispensaries were functional till four to five years back. Following the retirement of doctors, no fresh appointments were made and the dispensaries were eventually shut down. However, they will be reopened in the interest of poor patients,” RMC deputy mayor Sanjeev Vijayvargiya said on Sunday.

The deputy mayor said the state government would be requested to appoint doctors regularly.

“If regular appointment is not possible, the RMC will hire qualified homeopathic doctors on contract,” the deputy mayor added.

Barun Kumar Mishra, a resident of Ratu Road, welcomed the RMC decision.

“Homoeopathic dispensaries, where the poor can get medicines for minor health issues, are a necessity. The poor can’t afford to visit private doctors, clinics or over-crowded government hospitals. People are now switching over to homoeopathic treatment because it has no side-effect. Providing health service is a key responsibility of a civic body,” Mishra said.

The RMC will also use part of its ward offices to open dispensaries.

“We have received instruction from the state government to ensure space to open dispensaries under Atal clinic project, which is set to be launched on August 16. The state government will appoint doctors in the dispensaries and the RMC will provide logistic support,” Vijayvargiya added.