Zim patients at risk as drug shortage his hospitals

Almost all major referral, district and provincial hospitals countrywide are operating with less than 40 percent drug stocks instead of at least 60 percent drug stocks putting lives of patients at a high risk,Health and Child Care Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Nyasha Masukab has said.

The acute drug shortage has largely been attributed to the prevailing economic challenges, which has crippled NatPharm whose mandate is to store and distribute the essential drugs.

Medical practitioners said the shortage of anaesthetics has resulted in suspension of life-saving medical operations, risking the lives of thousands of patients.

According to Sunday Mail, Dr Masuka said: "Broadly, the classes of medicines that are in short supply in most hospitals are intravenous anti-biotics, aesthetics, anti-psychotics and some intravenous fluids.

"The shortage of drugs in hospitals is as a result of limited fiscal disbursement as well as the inability of the patients to pay user-fees."

Harare Central Hospital chief executive officer Ms Peggy Zvavamwe declined to comment on the issue.

Ministry of Health and Child Care officials told the publication  that at least 99 percent of drugs were donor-sourced through the Health Transition Fund and European Union with Government contributing a small percentage.

 Government plans to improve the availability of essential drugs through capital injection into NatPharm and support to other local pharmaceutical companies. Under the Zim-Asset economic blueprint, capacitation of pharmaceutical companies is one of the key points to address drug shortages.