Nurses bodies call for solutions to drug shortage

The Association of Malawian Midwives and the National Organisation for Nurses and Midwives of Malawi have lamented shortage of essential drugs and other medical supplies in the country’s hospitals.

They said the situation is subjecting patients to substandard health care.

In a statement issued on Tuesday the two organisations called on government, private sector and individuals to join hands in finding solutions to the drug shortage and other problems in the hospitals.

“Being deeply concerned with the dwindling state of the health care system [we] call on government, the corporate world, business captains, and individuals to immediately join hands in soliciting essential drugs and supplies for our hospitals,” reads the statement

The organisations have also appealed to nurses and midwives to contribute towards drugs and medical supplies in the hospitals.

The institutions have have said nurses and midwives will hold big walks in all the country’s districts to raise funds for drugs and other medical items.

Some of the drugs needed are Lignocaine, gentamycin, diclofenac, ephedrine, Tetracycline eye ointment, vitamin K, vitamin A, Intravenous Hydralazine, iodine, Cidex, chrorhexidine.

Supplies that are not available or inadequate include cotton wool, statures, Intravenous fluids, surgical blades, nasal gastric tubes, cannulas, urine bags, sterile gloves, plaster, scrub suits, theatre gowns, neonatal nasal prongs, saction tubes for neonates and nebuliser-giving sets.

The country is experiencing drug shortage and patients are forced to buy some of the drugs in private health facilities. The development comes at a time there is also rampant theft of drugs in the hospitals.