A parliamentary inquiry into medicine shortages in Malawi’s public hospitals has raised fresh questions over what is happening to essential drugs before they reach patients.
The Health Committee says district health officers and doctors contacted during its inquiry have reported shortages of medicines in facilities across the country.
Committee chairperson Anthony Masamba has described the situation as “dire” and “disheartening”, saying almost all the facilities contacted confirmed that they were experiencing medicine shortages.
The shortages mean patients seeking treatment at public hospitals risk leaving without the medicines prescribed to them, potentially forcing them to look for the drugs elsewhere.
Masamba says the committee has asked Central Medical Stores to provide a status report on medicine availability, with its Chief Executive Officer expected to respond to the committee.
The committee has also raised concerns about inadequate funding for the health sector and alleged pilferage of medicines as possible factors behind the shortages.
Health rights specialist Donald Kanjere has gone further, alleging that medicines are being massively stolen before reaching hospital pharmacies.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Madalitso Baloyi says Government is reviewing existing laws with a view to introducing stiffer penalties for people found guilty of stealing medicines.
Baloyi says medicine theft is affecting healthcare delivery, as drugs intended for patients fail to reach the facilities where they are needed.
As the parliamentary inquiry continues, questions remain over the availability of medicines, how supplies are being distributed and whether drugs meant for patients are reaching public hospitals.
