Pharmacy shortage

DEAR EDITOR, the above mention that was on the Headline news SIBC.

It was announced on the news that there is a shortage of medical supplies stored at the pharmacy department store at Ramadi Prince Philip Highway.

As a concern citizen, I see this as a nationwide manmade disaster that would affect every clinic and hospital throughout the country.

The most at risk are the sick patients.

Those who depend on drugs and other medications.

A decision made by someone, due to budget or too much of this and that or whatever the obstacles that could cos a shortage in the National Pharmacy Department.

Now the simple question is, who is to blame and who is making the cut or reducing the pharmacy orders, and all the other health items that needs to have a full stock in place at the warehouse.

Is it the Director and his pharmacist, or is it the Minister of Health and his PS, or is it the Head Admin and the advisors at the Ministry of Health?

These three groups are answerable if disaster strikes.

However looking at their responsibilities.

The director and the pharmacist surely know so well all the data in every single clinic and main hospital in the country.

In fact they have been distributing drugs and medical supplies to every provinces since the NRH was set up. No doubt.

This is their field they’re the expert.

They will always ensure that medical supplies will reach those clinics and hospitals by whatever means of transportation.

Also they will ensure that stock will last before the next batch of order is placed.

Definitely these pharmacist will always place an order for a full stock to save the lives of this nation.

Now the next two person is the Minister of Health and his Permanent Secretary.

In fact we can say they’re the voice in the parliament for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

They’re also responsible for seeking fund from donors for the health services that the nation needs. likely I would say, both men would have a little knowledge about pharmacist and the operation in distributing drugs and ordering medical supplies plus data’s and all its mobilization and so and so. Unfortunately this is not their field.

In my opinion, as the ministry is one of the pillars in this nation.

I suggest the Minister of Health and the PS should deal directly with the Director Pharmacy to have a full stock budget when it comes to make orders, of drugs and all the other medical medications.

The Minister to the crown has the power and the authority to even approve a budget for the National Pharmacy to save lives of our beloved country.

As a former patient from NRH, for the pass two decade I’ve been living on drugs an antibiotic. Back then it’s rarely to hear doctors and nurses saying, your medication is out of stock in the pharmacy.

What I’ve heard was a lot of complains from both doctors and nurses and other welfare matter that would be submitted to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for consideration by the heads of departments.

Here we see, it is clearly from a point of view that all matter concerning health services must be dealt with, by the head office.

So in my observation the Heads of Admin or even so called advisors could make decision to this shortage of medications for the pharmacy.

The reason behind this, could be luck of cash flow or estimation could be too much. Or other reasons.

The situation could be scary if there is absolutely shortage of drugs and vaccine in the store. What the general public is concern about is the money and budget allocate to pursuer these orders.

There is a saying –‘what goes around comes around “this is a clear message to the MHMS Head office.

Let’s be reminded that lets avoid what happen two year ago, when a larger sum of monies went missing in the hands of senior staffs.

In conclusion, let’s have passion for those who a sick. Let’s care for one another. give them what they deserve so they can also enjoy life as we do… Smol toktok nomoa.

 

Andrew Fioga

Honiara

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