Drugs to treat HIV
infection are not available in most hospitals and clinics across Swaziland / eSwatini
as the public health systems sinks further into crisis.
Swaziland has the highest
rate of HIV infection in the world. As of 2017, 27
percent of the population, or 210,000 people, were infected. There were reportedly
7,000 new infections in that year.
The drugs known as antiretrovirals
(ARVs) have been out of stock in many places for at least a month, the Times of Swaziland reported
on Wednesday (12 June 2019).
It said the shortage affected
‘most public health institutions’. It added, the shortage also affected some
private health facilities. It said the shortage was countywide and patients
had been told to seek alternative suppliers.
Raleigh Fitkin Memorial
(RFM), Manzini, is one hospital that still has supplies of the drugs. The Times
reported, ‘Sources at the RFM Hospital have revealed that there were currently
unbelievable queues for ARVs because of the shortage at other health centres.’
Swaziland’s health system is
in meltdown mainly because the government, which is not elected but appointed
by absolute monarch King Mswati III, has not paid suppliers.
Medicines of all sorts have run out in public
hospitals and health clinics across Swaziland. Local media reported in the past
that many people, including children, have
died as a result.
Hospital equipment, including at intensive-care units,
has not been maintained and cannot be used. In September 2018 it was reported Mbabane
Government Hospital was unable to feed its patients because it had no
money. There are 500 beds at the hospital. Hlatikhulu Government Hospital faced a
similar problem in February 2019.
In June 2018 it was revealed there were only
12 working public ambulances in the whole of Swaziland because the
government failed to maintain them. It had bought no new ambulances since 2013.
See also
Swaziland
health crisis getting worse as budgets cut. Rural areas most affected
https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/02/swaziland-health-crisis-getting-worse.html
Medicine shortage: five die
Medicine shortage: five die
Report:
patients die as Swaziland government hospital runs out of cash
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