APNU spent $36B on drugs and we still have shortages

Dear Editor,
This is no joke when I tell you that APNU spent $36.4 billion dollars on drugs and medical supplies over the last five years. To put this into perspective, the PPP/C spent $36.7 billion from 1992 to 2014 and we managed a better supply chain while APNU has broken the system in procurement to storage and distribution. To make matters worse we have severe shortages on basic medicines and supplies such as diabetic, malaria and hypertension drugs.
Further comparison shows that PPP/C spent an average of $4.7 billion per year on drugs from 2012 to 2014 while APNU spent an average of $8.2 billion from 2017 to 2019. That is an increase of 43% that then correspond with an increase in shortages. How can this be? APNU must give answers.
In two short weeks, I received multiple complaints of patients forced to purchase medicines that they are normally used to getting when the PPP/C was in government. This then begs the big question, how is it that APNU spent over five times more than the PPP/C on drugs and still have chronic shortages and broke the supply chain at the same time? To answer this question, we must look at the evidence that the AG report brought to light a few weeks ago.
The AG report showed that APNU paid $306 million for drugs and supplies from 2015 to 2017 and have not received the items as of the end of 2019. This means companies got free money to invest for themselves. The Government seems to be illegally financing companies by giving away taxpayers’ money interest-free. Therefore, it would be fair to ask what APNU’s motivation for breaking our financial laws is.
We must also understand that APNU does not show much care for the average Guyanese as you can see through their actions. They lack the ability to assess the impact of their decisions. At a minimum we expect a Government to make decisions that understand the wider impact on the nation. Therefore, when the decision to victimise the established suppliers of medicines in favour of unqualified shell companies, they caused us all to suffer from that.
APNU has always operated from a position of self-interest that caters to a small group of Guyanese consisting of business, friends and close allies. However, they preach a different message to the people of Guyana. This strategy has shown their ability to be heartless towards their fellow Guyanese.
The PPP/C have a proven track record to manage a better drug supply chain system more efficiently with the Guyanese people in mind. We are a socially driven party that makes decisions for the people and by the people. Come March 2, we will rebuild our healthcare systems and ensure drugs and supplies are 100% available in all health facilities nationwide.

Regards,
Malcolm Watkins