Posted Sep 25, 2009
Namwala, September 25-ZANIS - Namwala District Hospital has run out of Tuberculosis Drugs with a number of TB patients being turned away.
And District Director of Health Dr. Davy Kaile has disclosed that a total of 1,390 people in the District were accessing Anti-Retroviral Drugs [ARVs].
Both District Commissioner Mr. Wilson Siaduka and District Director of health Dr Davy Kaile confirmed this to ZANIS today.
Dr Kaile said the drugs run out two weeks ago but was quick to mention that efforts to get the drugs from Livingstone as soon as possible were being made.
Dr Kaile blamed the situation on the pharmacy department for failing to update him about the drug stock.
“The shortage is as a result of an oversight on the part of our Pharmacy department who delayed to inform me about the drug stock we had to enable me organize for more drugs from the province,” Dr Kaile said.
“But as you can see I have just sent a fax to the Provincial office to have the drugs delivered here as soon as possible,” he added.
He also confirmed that a number of TB patients seeking treatment have been sent away due to the non-availability of drugs.
And Mr Siaduka expressed worry that the shortage of TB drugs could lead to drug resistance and eventually loss of lives.
He said it was unaccepted for the Hospital to run out of the vital drugs like TB drugs.
“It very sad that the Hospital management could relax in getting TB drugs to save lives and quite frank this is unacceptable,” said Mr Siaduka.
“I hope this would be the last time we will ever hear about this shortage of TB drugs again,” he added.
Several patients yesterday complained to ZANIS about the shortage of the drugs and expressed fear of developing drug resistance.
And Dr Kaile said 1,390 people were accessing ARVs in the entire District.
He, however, disclosed that about 250 people this year alone have defaulted treatment due to various reasons notably the long distance to the ART Centres leading to a situation where patients on ART share the drugs.
Namwala District Hospital and Chitongo clinic are the only two ART centres in the District.
He however said the Hospital in conjunction with the Provincial Health Office would soon start mobile ART services in the District.