BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – Through The Ministry of Health, the government has started delivering drugs and medical supplies throughout the country’s health facilities.
This was stated by the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, during a press briefing yesterday.
The minister said her ministry had a meeting with its suppliers to try and find a way forward aimed at dealing with the medicines shortages experienced by the health sector.
Nkosi stated that the Central Medical Stores (CMS) delivered monthly supplies to health facilities following a weekly schedule.
According to the minister, deliveries started last month. She said delivery began in the Shiselweni Region, followed by the Lubombo Region, the Hhohho Region, and finally the Manzini Region. This cycle is expected to start all over again.
However, Nkosi said there were still medical supplies that were harder to find, adding that the ministry continues with emergency procurement and deliveries.
She encouraged health facilities to keep flagging low-stocked items, as they were already doing.
The minister noted that not all the medicines and medical supplies had been delivered yet because of the lead times associated with medical supplies.
“Medicines are perishable items, once the ministry has placed an order with the suppliers, they in turn place orders with their manufacturers who then proceed to manufacture the ordered medicines. This process is what leads to the delays in the supply of medicines,” said Nkosi.
