As we understand it, the total number of patients on this second-line of drugs is around 1 000. This on its own should make the task of the health workers a manageable one in recalling and replacing the drug.
We appeal to the patients on the second-line drugs and their relatives to check the medication and take the appropriate action.
We must, however, join the health authorities in advising the affected patients not to abruptly discontinue their medication before they have a replacement.
Still on the medical scene, we are shocked and appalled to learn of the shortage at the Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone of drugs for mentally disturbed people under psychiatric care.
The irony of it all is that even the institution which is charged with disbursement of the drugs, the Lobatse Mental Hospital - whose name seems to have outlived appropriate use - seems to be unaware of the critical situation at Marina.
Could this be another effect of the pitiful inadequacy of the staff responsible for medical stores at Marina? Or is it a nationwide calamity?
It is increasingly becoming common to find many clinics and hospitals across the country operating without adequate medical dispensaries. There are instances when patients are referred to private pharmacies.
Yet, there are also reports that mountains of drugs have to be destroyed annually after they have expired. It is somewhat scandalous to imagine that the government spends millions of Pula to provide for the health and well being of its citizens, only for the line departments to defeat this noble effort.
It is high time the Minister of Health, Professor Sheila Tlou, cracked the whip. As it is, the shortage of health workers in our health system is problematic. The health system need not be further compromised by failure to disburse drugs which are then allowed to rot away in storerooms across the country.
In addition, there is the perennial problem of drug pilferage at public medical stores!
Tlou should bring these problems to an end. After all, these are merely administrative matters.
Today's Thought
