A shortage of drugs in
government health facilities in Swaziland has left hundreds of new-born babies
of HIV-infected mothers exposed to the virus.
The Ministry of Health said
there was a breakdown in communication and that the nevirapine syrup is stuck
in central stores.
Swaziland Nurses
Association (SNA) Deputy Secretary General Gcinaphi Pateguana told the Sunday Observer (22 October 2017)
newspaper in Swaziland there were reports of shortages of a number of drugs,
including nevirapine, from across the kingdom.
The Observer reported, ‘Last month the country had a shortage of drugs
and supplies used in the administration of health services. In the list of
medicines reported to have run out of stock in public hospitals was nevirapine
syrup, which is administered to HIV-positive mothers and babies to prevent
mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
‘The Sunday Observer understands that this medication ran out for almost
a month in the entire country’s government hospitals.’
The newspaper added no alternative
drug was given to the mothers.
Ministry of Health Chief Pharmacist Fortunate Bhembe said
there had been distribution challenges in September, which led to drug
shortages in hospitals.
She told the newspaper this was mainly due to a
breakdown in communication between the health facilities and the Central
Medical Stores (CMS).
‘Another challenge she cited was lack of communication
between health facilities, as they could have shared or loaned each other the
medication while awaiting their orders.’
Bhembe said Swaziland had not run out of medication.
However, the newspaper reported, ‘On the case of
nevirapine, she said she was not aware of any facility that reported shortages
during the mentioned period and only learnt of such from the newspaper report.’
There has been continuing shortages of drugs at public
health facilities in Swaziland over the past year because the Swazi Government
has not paid its suppliers. In September 2017 it was reported there were shortages of drugs for a range of
illnesses and conditions including epilepsy, hypertension, diabetes, ulcers and
treatments for HIV positive people.
Also hospitals and clinics
did not have alcohols and spirits used in disinfecting apparatus, bandages and
gloves.
The shortage of drugs has
been ongoing in Swaziland for years. The government which is handpicked by King
Mswati III, who rules Swaziland as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch,
often fails to pay its bills to suppliers.
In June 2017, Swazi Senator
Prince Kekela told parliament that at least five people had died as a result of
the shortage of medicines in Swaziland.
At the time it was reported
that about US$18 million was owed to drug companies in May 2017 and they had
suspended delivery of medicines until bills were paid.
In 2014, at least 44
children died and many hundreds were hospitalised during an outbreak of
diarrhoea. The Ministry of Health said it could not afford readily-available
drugs. Then, the Government spent US$1.7 million on top-of-the range BMW cars for itself.
At present, Swaziland faces an outbreak of malaria and
at least
four people have died and hundreds have been affected.
See also
DRUG SHORTAGE CRISIS DEEPENS
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