The kingdom’s only independent newspaper has accused
the Swaziland Government of ‘killing its people’ with a shortage of medicines
in hospitals.
The Government, handpicked by King Mswati III who
rules Swaziland as an absolute monarch, has admitted it has not paid drug
companies for past deliveries and supplies have dried up.
Under the heading ‘Government
now killing its people’ a Times of Swaziland editorial comment on Monday (15 May 2017) asked,
‘What value does our government place on the life of
an ordinary citizen when it allows our hospitals and clinics to run short of
essential drugs?’
It added that people, ‘are now the ones
suffering to death’.
The government says it
does not have money to pay its bills. The Times commented, ‘The
Health Ministry is too scared to say just how much is being owed and seems
helpless with regards to coming up with a solution that ensures people go to
the hospital today to find the drugs they need to stay alive.’
Principal Secretary (PS) at the Ministry of Health Dr Simon Zwane had told
the Swazi parliament Public Accounts Committee (PAC), ‘We have not paid our
suppliers.’
The Swazi News reported on Saturday (13 May
2017), ‘Dr Zwane said it was true that the country did not have various
medication and offered to write a report on how the country had found itself in
this particular position.
‘He said this was not a matter of whether tablets for the epileptic or
those with diabetes was short, but across the board the problem was financial,
noting that there was a problem with the release of money.
‘He said when the tenders for the delivery of drugs were awarded
government and the suppliers entered into contracts, which had schedules on
when they would be delivered and when they would be paid.’
Medicines currently unavailable in the kingdom’s health facilities
include drugs for sexual transmitted infections, epilepsy, hypertension and
diabetes.
The Swazi Observer reported on
Monday (15 May 2017) that a majority of health facilities in the Lubombo region
did not have supplies of Nevirapine syrup, a lifesaving medication for new-born
babies. The medication is mainly used to prevent HIV transmission from mother-to-child
during birth or breastfeeding.
A nationwide
two-day strike by nurses in protest against drug shortages and other issues
was cancelled following an Industrial Court order. Nurses will instead engage
in a ‘go-slow’.
See also
KINGDOM
BOTTOM IN WORLD HEALTH RANKING
NURSES PICKET FOR HEALTH SUPPLIES
KING PARTIES AS SICK GO UNTREATED
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/05/king-parties-as-sick-go-untreated.html
No comments:
Post a Comment