Patients raise concerns regarding chronic medication shortages

MBOMBELA - Some frustrated patients say the shortage of chronic medication at Rob Ferreira Hospital is negatively affecting them.

The spokesperson for the provincial Department of Health, Dumisani Malamule, said, “Some of the medicine items are out of stock at the depot which supplies all facilities.”

For the past couple of months some patients had to allegedly go home empty-handed due to lack of medication. Some of them only received half of what they require.

According to a patient, Jane Nonyane*, some patients need their chronic medication and struggle with day-to-day activities without them.

“For the past few months when I have gone for my consultation, the doctor gives me a prescription and when I visit the pharmacy the pharmacist gives me another date because the medication is not available. The challenge is that some people take leave from work to collect their medication. Later we are told they are unavailable,” she said.

Another patient said his issue is that he needs to pay a taxi fare, but then still goes home empty-handed.

“It is frustrating to pay for transport when you are told that the medication is not available. We do not have money, and worse, we queue. People go to the hospital because they are not feeling well. And not getting the help needed adds more pressure. A doctor would not prescribe something to me if I do not need it,” he explained.

“The depot has indicated that stock will be available towards the end of November. However, patients do not leave the hospital empty-handed alternative medication is given to them,” Malamule said.

At the time of going to press Nonyane had not received her prescription.

* Not her real name.