Dicey denial: Inside the drug shortages crisis

Friday, January 20, 2023 | 280 Views |

Battle stations: Princess Marina is the country’s largest hospital where large numbers of Batswana converge for all manner of health care and treatment PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The crippling shortage of medicines around the country is resulting in more chronic patients lapsing and some accepting their fate. One of them, a 62-year old man who last accessed his diabetic medication in October, even believes he can now do without the drugs, writes Mmegi Correspondent, NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE

This situation is terrible for people living with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, HIV, hypertension and others, as the long-running shortage of drugs in public hospitals and clinics has forced them into an impossible choice: Buy your own or risk death.

Government says the crisis is the result of supply chain troubles across the world, as well as its own rigorous checks and standards that have resulted in the cancellation of some orders.

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