MoPH modernising delivery systems – Lawrence

Addressing drug shortages

…as Linden Hospital receives critical supplies

Just over a day after nurses at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) staged a sit in after repeatedly complaining of drug shortages, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said the Ministry is modernising delivery systems to address the sore point.
Over the years, the health sector have been plagued by drug shortages and to address that, Lawrence noted that the Ministry has hired a consultant who has worked with The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a plan for the retrofitting of Guyana’s medicine and medical supplies distribution system.
“That consultant is presently doing a mapping in terms of where we need to send drugs directly instead of it going through the region. So, we are looking at those areas that are locked in like Upper Mazaruni, Paramakatoi, Orella so that we can be able to develop a response so that those drugs do not go to the regional health facility,” she explained.
“We have already started to ensure that a few of them, their drugs are going directly like Paramakatoi and Kato because it is easier for us to send from Georgetown to those places instead of sending it to Mahdia Hospital and then they disburse it. We find that is more cheaper and more effective. We are working on the other locations now,” Lawrence added.
She further stated that they have started extending the Diamond Drug Bond and is currently constructing a new bond at Kingston, since the old one is non-functional. She noted that once completed, it would see the installation of an electronic system so that they will be able to readily have access to information to ensure that “transparency and accountability are more centred.”
Additionally, she explained that they are also clamping down on staffers who are found stealing drugs.
Just last year, Lawrence blamed a conspiracy among some drug suppliers and Public Health Ministry staff for the crisis in the sector. She said she unearthed a combination of collusion, deliberate breaching of established sector protocols by public health staff, manipulation of the system by some importers with the support of employees and a fabrication of records including evidence of bogus receipts.
“We have had to call in the Police to deal with staff who are selling drugs to private pharmacies,” Lawrence disclosed shortly after taking up the post as Public Health Minister.
Meanwhile, the Linden Hospital has received its critical drug supplies, an issue which caused its nursing staff to stage a three-hour sit in at the medical institution on Thursday last. According to the hospital’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Toshanna Alicock, the much-needed medical supplies were received by the hospital on Thursday evening and the issue is settled for the time being.
Alicock noted that a decision was made to temporarily acquire critical drug supplies after the hospital’s management had teleconferenced with Minister Lawrence and Director of Regional Health Services, Dr Kay Shako to address the issue. It was then decided that the LHC will be acquiring supplies through the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) temporarily, and later, representatives were sent to Georgetown to uplift the first set of these supplies from the GPHC. She noted, however, that this is only a “temporary fix” until the previous system of acquiring drugs is straightened out with the Materials Management Unit (MMU) bond. She added that the drugs, which were being acquired under the temporary arrangement fall under the critical drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical and surgical supplies heading.
Additionally, Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Regional Representative Maurice Butters, who met with the protesting staff, said they related frustration over the lack of work materials and facilities and therefore decided to conduct the sit in. He said the staff, in speaking to the hospital’s CEO on Thursday last, would have raised concerns over these issues which they explained have been affecting them for months. However, the Public Health Ministry said it was currently investigating the circumstances and addressing the issues which resulted in the LHC recording a shortage of medical supplies.
According to a statement issued by the Public Health Ministry, during the period of March 6 to March 21, medical supplies were ordered by the Linden Hospital Complex from the MMU. On March 6, 16 of the 24 items requested were delivered, and on March 18, 91 of the 171 items ordered were received. While it is normal procedure for the Linden Hospital to purchase drugs and other medical supplies whenever there was a shortage, the Public Health Ministry notes, as a result of poor forecasting, all the money the Hospital possessed had already been spent during the first quarter of the year. As such, the Ministry has commenced the implementation of necessary measures to correct this situation.