KZN Zdravstvo kaže da su medicinske poremećaje su upravljane preko bolnica

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health confirmed today that disruptions in medicine supplies are being actively managed across its hospitals, despite ongoing global supply-chain challenges. Officials stated that while shortages of specific medications persist, efforts are underway to ensure uninterrupted patient care. The situation involves several key drugs, including epilepsy treatments, tuberculosis medications, and contraceptives, among others, which have been impacted by international logistics issues. The challenges began in July, when the department identified supply issues with Phenobarbital for epilepsy, Rifampicin for tuberculosis, and contraceptive pills. These shortages were part of broader global pressures affecting pharmaceutical availability. At the same time, the Gauteng Department of Health refuted reports that patients at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital were facing denial of essential medicines, reinforcing that supply issues are being addressed systematically. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi highlighted in a parliamentary response earlier this month that several critical categories of drugs, such as antibiotics, tuberculosis treatments, oncology products, insulin, and pediatric antiretroviral medications, are regularly affected by stock disruptions. This list includes Ciprofloxacin, Flucytosine, Fosfomycin, Mebendazole, Rifampicin-containing products, Bleomycin, Carboplatin, Docetaxel, Filgrastim, Nevirapine, and Lamivudine. These shortages underscore the complexity of maintaining adequate drug supplies in a strained healthcare environment. KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane noted that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have influenced the procurement of certain pharmaceuticals and essential ingredients. She emphasized that although some hospitals might experience apparent shortages, the department ensures that clinicians provide suitable therapeutic alternatives. “It is true that the one we are usually looking for, the way we get it is no longer there, or it’s no longer the same as before,” she said. “This is an issue that even at the national level, they have stood up for, because after all, all this medicine, we buy it from national (department) or we get it from national.” Penny Msimango, head of the KZN Health department, described the situation as one requiring continuous monitoring and intervention. Weekly meetings are held to identify critical shortages and address them promptly. “We would like to clarify that this issue relates to the fact that there are problems globally that cause some of what we need, like medicine, not to reach us,” Msimango said. “We have discussed it extensively, but we have said we will send out teams to go visit the districts and hospitals, to check which hospital is short the most, so that they can share with other hospitals and other districts.” Msimango also stressed that patients without medical aid should not be directed to purchase medication themselves. Instead, staff are instructed to report unavailability to hospital management and explore internal alternatives. This approach aims to prevent patients from bearing the financial burden of obtaining their prescriptions. Thandeka Njapha, manager of the Provincial Pharmaceutical Supply Depot, outlined the current state of supply pressures, noting that life-saving medications, especially in pill form, are particularly affected. These include treatments for chronic and mental health conditions. However, she clarified that shortages do not equate to complete unavailability. Clinicians are instead utilizing therapeutic alternatives, medications with similar functions, to maintain consistent care. “As there are problems with medicine, we don’t just sit; we try to buy,” Njapha explained. “You find that supplier A doesn’t have it; we will go to B, C, until we go to D. We move it around, we share it.” Njapha further detailed that when medication is delayed due to delivery issues, staff collect patient contact information rather than turning individuals away. They then work to source the required medication from other facilities or alternative suppliers, sometimes coordinating deliveries to ensure patients receive their prescriptions without needing to seek them personally. She urged the public not to panic, emphasizing that the national department is also engaged in addressing these challenges.