Region Two RDC blames Material Management Unit for continued drug shortage

Jul 16, 2018 News

The shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies continues to be an issue, plaguing public health service in Region Two [Pomeroon/Supenaam].
According to information, drugs and medical supplies are still grossly inadequate at public health facilities within the region. The issue, however, has again engaged the attention of the Regional Democratic Council of Region.
Reporting on the drug shortage last Tuesday, Chairman of the Region’s Health and Sanitation Committee, Arnold Adams blamed the Material Management Unit [MMU] for the delay in providing the region with essential medication.

Region Two’s main hospital, the Suddie Public Hospital

The Regional Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt said, however, that while there are some weaknesses at MMU, there also needs to be timely communication regionally.
The region’s main health facility is the Suddie Public Hospital, which continues to provide service for even residents of Wakenaam. According to reports, however, many residents have been voicing their frustrations of having to procure certain medications at their own expense.
Based on reports, staff in one ward claimed that a certain drug was not in supply. It was later revealed; however, that the injection was in adequate supply at the hospital’s bond.
Based on financial reports of the RDC, Region Two has budgeted over $200 million to procure drugs and medical supplies for the year 2018. Ramdatt claims that residents are affected due to weaknesses in the procurement and supply systems.
“There is lack of confidence in the Suddie Public Hospital… We have been training staff, we have more equipment, we have increased our budget yet there is no improvement. What we need now is local management, leadership, monitoring and evaluation.”
The Regional Chairman also said that the Regional Health Officer and others in the leadership of the health programme are not providing the timely updates to the RDC on the situation. The RDC is again calling on the Minister of Health to intervene urgently to address this concern and other matters affecting health care delivery in the Region Two.