Zimbabwe nurses accused of looting medicine

Drug shortages in public hospitals still persist with some ordinary people saying some nurses and other hospital staff might also be to blame as they are allegedly looting medicines to sell at their homes.

A cocktail of challenges might be responsible for the shortage of drugs in public hospitals but some people have accused nurses and other hospital staff of looting the few available medicines.

Some of the people interviewed by the ZBC News alleged that some nurses have set up pharmacies at their homes where they are selling drugs yet there is nothing at the hospitals.

One can easily access prescription drugs if they know who to approach in the high density suburbs, claim the members of the public.

Others said the sale of drugs illegally is not only limited to public health officials but the general public.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association President, Simangaliso Mafa however denied the allegations levelled against nurses.  

An acute shortage of drugs and other medical sundries has hit the country's major government referral hospitals.

Patients are being asked to purchase even ordinary drugs such as paracetamol.

The government has confirmed the shortages but said tenders have been floated for the supply of the drugs.