Drug Shortages: KCH suspends elective surgeries
Kamuzu Central Hospital has suspended all elective surgeries as the institution has run out of drugs which are administered to patients going for operation.
In a letter that Nation Online has seen addressed to the director of the hospital and heads of departments dated 18 August written by acting head of anesthesia department, Onius Mtalimanja warns that surgery drugs were out of stock.
“I would like to inform you that we have run out of anesthesia drugs and for this reason we are suspending elective surgeries with effect from tomorrow, 19 August, 2014,” reads a letter.
Mtalimanja on 30 July, 2014 wrote the hospital administration that they had run out of stock medicine such as Thiopentone, Propofol, Vecrumron, Ephedrine,Eetomidate, spinal code needles, ECGdotes, central lines while Suxamenthathonium was in short supply.
As of yesterday [Monday] there were only 20 ampoules of Suxamenthonium but in short supply at the hospital, the letter adds.
A doctor who asked for anonymity has told Nation Online that the only drug that is currently available is Kentamine, a drug which is used as an induction of anesthesia.
“However, Kentamine drug is not supposed be used in patients suffering with high blood pressure and those with epilepsy,” the doctor said.
CMST spokesperson Herbert Chandilanga said the trust will deliver the said drugs first thing in the morning on Tuesday.
