Shortage of medical cards hits government hospitals, clinics

Doctors based at government clinics and hospitals have resorted to using pages of a random school exercise book as medical cards. This is caused by the prolonged absence of the blue and pink medical cards usually given to patients at government hospitals.

Shortage of medical cards has been a nagging issue in hospitals for the past few years but the situation seems to now have worsened as many health facilities countrywide are out of stock.

Nurses are even suggesting that patients buy themselves exercise books to use each time they come to hospital. However, those not able to buy books are given sheets of paper to be used during consultation.

Although not ready to openly speak on the matter, some patients have argued that the sheets of paper easily tear. Additionally, they say paper demands careful handling which is not always possible for the sickly and elderly.The Ministry of Health and Wellness has yet to respond to a questionnaire sent to them on the matter a month back. The Midweek Sun had wanted to establish reasons behind hospitals not having medical cards and how much the government spends on printing them.

Minister Edwin Dikoloti also did not respond to questions sent to him on the matter. Meanwhile, in 2018 then assistant minister of Health Dikgang Makgalemele said that government was spending close to P10 million to print patients cards, laboratory forms, obstetric record and drug forms.

He noted that they are aware of shortage of medical cards and blamed it on internal inefficiencies within the health sector which he said they were busy addressing.

The shortage was also attributed to patients returning to health facilities without their patient cards and expecting to be given new ones each time they visit.