Shortage of drugs hits Gulu again

Gulu
A fresh shortage of drugs in most of Gulu’s government health centres has left patients roaming from one health centre to another in search for treatment, Daily Monitor has learnt.

This paper reported last year that the district lacked supplies of malaria, tuberculosis and anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs.

Patients are now seeking assistance from local drug shops and clinics at trading centres some of which are run by unqualified people.

Dr Anna Lawino, who supervises a health centre in Lalogi Sub-county, on Wednesday that close to 60 per cent of patients who seek medical help are turned away because they are unable to provide treatment.

“We are overwhelmed by the turn up amidst drugs shortages and when we see them march home untreated it pains us a lot,” Ms Lawino said.

She disclosed that anti-malarial drugs and ARVs have been delayed for two months.

Some of the health centres with inadequate medicines and drugs include Lapeta, Awere, Bobi, Patiko, Omel and Awach.
The Acting District Health Officer, Ms Ester Adiyo, said the problem was due to the creation of new health centres currently not budgeted for.

Drugs scramble
“When the drugs arrive at the health centres people scramble for them even when they are not sick, and keep them at their homes,” Ms Adiyo added.

The government has revised means of sending drugs to each district through the credit link system where each district buys its own medicines.

The Medical Superintendent of Gulu Referral Hospital, Dr Akii Ager, said a circular from the Health Ministry had stopped them from talking to the press.