Ministry speaks on drug situation, outlines efforts

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has given an update on the availability of medicines and other supplies in the country’s hospitals, indicating that government is receiving adequate supplies from its partners.

In a statement made available to The Nation, MoH Principal Secretary Chris Kang’ombe said government, in collaboration with its partners within Malawi and abroad, has in recent months worked tirelessly to minimise significant shortages.

Kang’ombe said, among other efforts, the Norwegian Government has helped  Malawi in providing to all public health facilities a medical kit containing 40 items comprising medicines such as antibiotics, painkillers and supplies such as gloves, masks, cannulas, syringes and catheters valued at K3.7 billion.

Said Kang’ombe: “The UK Government through DfID [Department for International Development] has provided K10.5 billion [£16.29 million] worth of essential medicines and medical supplies to all public facilities across Malawi for the next 18 months.

“The Central Medical Stores Trust [CMST] continues to procure medicines and medical supplies using their resources for Government health facilities to access. The current tender is worth $3.2 million.”

The ministry’s statement has come against a background of reports of problems affecting health service delivery in the country, including shortage of medicines and other critical and basic supplies in public hospitals, including referral centres.

For example, at the weekend, our sister newspaper, Nation on Sunday, quoted Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) head of department of medicines,  Dr Jane Mallewa, as having said medical doctors are sometimes contributing  money to buy essential drugs such as Fluconazole and amphotericin from private pharmacies to assist helpless patients.

However, Kang’ombe said the efforts outlined in his ministry’s statement would ensure Malawi continues to have access to regular supply of essential medicines and commodities.

Yesterday, authorities at QECH, led by hospital director Dr Andrew Gonani, his deputy Tulipoka Soko, chief hospital administrator Themba Mhango, principal hospital administrator Gibson Mgwira, chief nursing officer Linley Chewere and procurement officer Paul Matandala, addressed a news conference in Blantyre to give an update on the situation at the hospital.

Prior to the briefing, journalists were taken to the hospital pharmacy where Gonani showed them the status of the drug stock. He hinted that the story about the shortage of supplies could create panic among people since it has also been picked up by radio stations.

He said: “Any bad news about the hospital, which is a referral, would cause panic among the public that we serve. The article painted a hopeless picture of the hospital.”

Gonani suggested that his colleague, Dr Mallewa, was either misquoted or did not check with the pharmacy on stock levels of the drugs she mentioned.

Receiving a donation of drugs from OG Plastic Industries last Wednesday, Dr Mallewa said: “This donation is a big relief to our staff who have been contributing some money to buy essential medicine like Fluconazole and amphotericin from private pharmacies for targeted patients in the wards. It pains us to watch our patients die from treatable ailments”.

Ironically, Mallewa was not present at the press briefing but Gonani said she was busy and would write a report to clarify her side.