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Shortage of gauze just tip of the iceberg
Posted On 15 Sep 2022
A media release by the SWRHA yesterday meant to reassure the population that there is no shortage of gauze and other supplies for patients attending their facilities is being disputed by several persons, according to a report in today’s Guardian newspaper. Many citizens continue to complain of having to purchase basic items, including drugs and supplies for their loved ones who are patients at our public health facilities.
These items are usually procured under a budget line item termed ‘Drugs and Supplies’ under the Ministry of Health ‘Goods and Services “allocation. Since 2018 there has been a significant cut in this budgeted line item. The explanation given to the Parliament was that the difference would have been supplemented via a loan to NIPDEC to procure these supplies. The question is therefore, whether this shortage of supplies is due to lack of funding, or whether there are shortcomings in the internal supply chain system within the Ministry of Health and the RHA’s.
Shortage of gauze and wound dressing materials may be one issue but there is the bigger problem of doctors having to cancel or defer surgeries due to shortages of other items such as anesthetic drugs and surgical supplies. This situation places an increasing burden on patients awaiting eye, joint and kidney- stone operations amongst other surgical procedures.
The Minister of Health needs to do more to address the long surgical waiting lists created during the pandemic when large numbers of non-urgent surgeries were postponed. The shortage of gauze highlighted in today’s newspaper report is just the tip of the iceberg of the ills that have befallen the health sector under this Government.
I trust that the allocation for the health sector in the upcoming budget will be sufficient to treat with the shortage of basic supplies plaguing the public health facilities. Additionally the Minister of Health needs to implement innovative systems and solutions to deal with the excessive waiting times and long waiting lists that continue to frustrate citizens seeking healthcare in our public institutions.
Dr. LACKRAM P. BODOE
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
FYZABAD.
