Shortage of drugs still a big challenge
Dear Editor,
THE shortage of drugs in the health facilities notably the clinics and the hospitals is still a big challenge. In view of the shortage of drugs in the health facilities, there is urgent need for the Ministry of Health to address the problem.
It is not only mind boggling but also unacceptable that the Minister of Health, Ms Sylvia Masebo has said from time and again that drugs are available in clinics and hospitals. But, this is not the case.
As though the statements by Ms Masebo regarding the shortage of drugs are not enough, Vice President
Mutale Nalumango has told Parliament on several occasions that there are drugs in the health facilities.
The gist of the matter is that there are no drugs in clinics and hospitals as patients are in most cases turned back and are given prescriptions to buy their own medicines from pharmacies.
This is not right because most patients can’t afford to buy medicines - they do not have the money.
Not too long ago, I took a sick relative to a hospital in Lusaka but he was given a prescription to buy medicine from any of the pharmacies within town.
This only shows that the new dawn administration through the Ministry of Health has failed the people in terms of delivering health services.
No matter how much Ms Masebo is trying to underplay the issue of the shortage of drugs, it will not solve the problem. There is enough evidence regarding the shortage of drugs in the country.
The best thing to do is to find an amicable solution to the shortage of drugs in hospitals. Which can be done through procuring adequate essential drugs.
The quicker this is done the better.
When Mansa Central lawmaker and the Patriotic Front presidential aspirant, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya was Minister of Health, the health facilities were well stocked with drugs. Simply put, Dr. Chilufya and his team managed the Ministry of Health well.
That said, there is therefore an urgent need to avert the drug shortage in the health facilities across the country.