DRUG SHORTAGES HIT HOSPITALS AS GOVERNMENT STARTS RESTOCKING
By ADRIAN MWANZA
SHORTAGES of essential drugs have rocked most of the hospitals and clinics in the country resulting in most patients going back home with just a prescriptions.
A check by the Daily Nation crew at Chilenje Level One Hospital and selected health facilities around the country found that most people were just being given prescriptions as the hospitals do not have the essential drugs to cater for their ailments.
This has caused anxiety as most people cannot afford to buy the medication due to costs.
When contacted, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said the restocking of hospitals had started and that the country had adequate medicines.
Ms Masebo in an interview said that they had commenced with the process and that it was being done by the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).
She said that the move was aimed at ensuring that patients got access to good health services unlike what was happening were patients were just being told to get prescriptions.
“I can confirm that restocking of medicines in most hospitals has commenced and that this issue is being undertaken by ZAMMSA formerly known as Medical Stores,” she said.
Ms Masebo said the process was ongoing and that the hospitals would be fully stocked as soon as possible to ensure that people were attended to properly.
She said the new dawn government was working round the clock to ensure that health standards in the country were enhanced.
Ms Masebo said that people needed not to panic as everything was under control as medicines had started rolling into hospitals and clinics.
A number of stakeholders expressed concern over shortages of medicines in most hospitals and clinics in the country.
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