The Calcutta Municipal Corporation will deliver medicines to patients suffering from tuberculosis, diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and asthma and are unable to buy their medicines because of the lockdown, a civic official said.

The patients have to email their requirements along with the doctor’s prescription, their address and a phone number so civic employees can reach them with the medicines, the official said.

The mail has to be sent to cmhomail@gmail.com or mmichealthkmc@gmail.com. The email accounts belong to the chief municipal health officer and the mayoral council member in charge of health of the CMC.

“People undergoing treatment in CMC clinics, in government hospitals or even in private hospitals can contact us if they need medicines for asthma, hypertension, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or diabetes,” an official in the CMC’s health department said.

“A doctor’s prescription must be attached to the email. We will not give medicines without a prescription. Someone visiting a CMC clinic or a government hospital should attach an image of the outdoor ticket.”

CMC officials said they decided to deliver the medicines at home because many people are not being able to collect their medicines during the lockdown, forced by the coronavirus outbreak.

“Missing even a single dose can have serious impact on people suffering from these diseases. For example, TB germs can develop drug resistance if a patient suddenly stops taking medicine,” a CMC doctor said.

“People who want to avail themselves of the service must mention their phone number and address in their email. If one does not have a phone, she/he should give the number of a neighbour.”