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MANZINI – There are concerns that medication shortages may be affecting patients at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (RFM).
Some patients have claimed that they were only given painkillers and a list of prescription medication to purchase from private pharmacies. During a visit to the hospital on Wednesday, patients with fractured limbs complained that they were not receiving the necessary treatment.
Two patients who were interviewed and had a broken arm and leg, said they were only given painkillers after waiting for a long time to be attended to at around 3:40pm. One of the patients revealed that he was given a prescription list to get the drugs at retail pharmacies. The same was shared by another patient, who said he was given Ibrufen for his broken arm.
When drawn for comment, Eswatini Nazarene Health Institutions (ENHI) CEO Dr Mazwi Mabuza said: “Our stocking levels variate from time to time, so it may happen that some prescriptions may not be available. However, as far as I know, the institution has stock, although not everything.”
Dr Mabuza said government provided medication to the institution but it was not enough. He said they then procured their own to supplement the one provided by government with funds they generated from providing services to patients.
The shortage of medical supplies and drugs has been a constant challenge in the public health sector in the kingdom for time immemorial, despite interventions by the Ministry of Health to strengthen its stock controls. This constant issue has seen health practitioners petitioning government in various instances wherein they raised their concerns and outlined that, among other things, they were now issuing prescription letters instead of affording the citizenry adequate care, as per their oath of service.