The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) is deeply concerned about the shortage of drugs and medical supplies at hospitals, health centres and health posts throughout the region.
Due to the situation, patients have been expressing frustration at having to purchase medications that were previously available. This is creating many challenges for residents who are struggling to survive in a rapidly shrinking economy.
A statutory meeting of the RDC of Region Two
Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt indicated that based on reports received, in excess of 80 items comprising of tablets, injections and suspensions are unavailable at health facilities in Region Two.
More precisely, frequently used medications such as Ibuprofen, Paracetamol and Captopril are not available.
Further, the RDC rejected the Public Health Ministry’s delay in accepting that there was a shortage of drugs and medical supplies within the public health system nationally.
The body expressed that had the Ministry meaningfully engaged the RDC of Region Two rather than to deny the drug shortage, this situation could have been addressed earlier much to the satisfaction of the people.
At the last statutory meeting of the RDC, Councillors also condemned the lack of consultations with regional officials from the Public Health Ministry regarding investigations into missing drugs at the Suddie Public Hospital.
In this regard, the RDC reiterated its call for the Ministry to participate in meaningful consultations for the betterment of the region and the people.
The investigation had resulted in staff attached to the Suddie Public Hospital being required to give statements to Police.As such, the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two reiterates its call for the Public Health Ministry to “meaningfully” engage the Regional Democratic Council of region in addressing the increasing challenges affecting health in the region.
Meanwhile, many hospitals across the country are plagued with drug shortages which are linked to the procurement system being employed by the Government.
During a recent tour at the chief public health institution, it was revealed that there were many drug shortages there.
Senior Pharmacist of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Jenelle Welch disclosed that there were a number of drug shortages affecting the operations of the Hospital, owing to patient overload and the untimely supply of the pharmaceuticals. In terms of injections, she said the pharmacy is out of Immunoglobulin, Midazolam, Fortum, and Insulin.Regarding tablets, she said the pharmacy does not have Aspirin, Metoprolol (which is critical for the treatment of cardiac patients, chest pains and hypertension), and Atorvastatin for cholesterol patients.
Pharmacy Manager (acting) Yvonne Bullen explained that the department usually makes requests for orders when the stock runs to a level of three months. Despite this system, the pharmacy is still affected by drug shortages.
Director of Finance, Ronald Charles also explained that the timespan needs to be expanded to nine months.
He noted too that another reason for the drug shortages is the inability of staff to determine an item is low in stock in a timely fashion. In this regard, he said efforts are being made to switch to an electronic process of quantification.Also, during tours of the New Amsterdam Public Hospital and Diamond Diagnostic Centre, drug shortages were among the major problems affecting those institutions.
