via Hospitals run out of drugs – DailyNews Live 24 July 2014 by Fungi Kwaramba
HARARE – State hospitals have run out of vital medicines, with the institutions prescribing even basic drugs for purchase at private pharmacies.
This comes as morale has reportedly hit rock-bottom among health staff.
The crisis has particularly hit hard persons under-five and those over 65 years of age who, according to government policy, should be exempt from user fees.
Under the current dire circumstances, both age groups have been forced to purchase drugs at private pharmacies.
So grave is the situation that at some State hospitals, enterprising private pharmacies have set up shop inside the institutions to retail their merchandise.
The cash-strapped government is dismally failing to bankroll the crucial health sector amid a deepening liquidity crunch.
When the Daily News crew visited Harare Central and Parirenyatwa hospitals yesterday, the situation was desperate.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) organising secretary Chipfurutse Mugove said it was frustrating to work without critical drugs.
“We do not have drugs, syringes and even bandages,” Mugove told the Daily News.
“We are supposed to do our jobs ethically but we do not have drugs and sometimes we send people home. Everything must be available for us to execute our jobs, but now we are now forced to improvise. But how can we improvise when we are dealing with human beings? We cannot reverse deaths. Hopefully, we will find drugs in order to save lives.”
Mugove said they were not carrying out their responsibilities as they were supposed to.
“The fact that there are no drugs even affects us psychologically,” Mugove said. “It is hard to stand by and watch patients suffering with minor ailments.”
Paul Chimedza, the deputy minister of Health and Child Care, recently revealed that although government was aware that there are shortages of medicines in hospitals, it had no cash to address the crisis.
“The ministry is aware that there is shortage of medication and the government does not have the resources,” Chimedza said.
“We get most of our medication from NatPharm (National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe) and at the moment NatPharm does not have the capacity to buy medicines in bulk.”
The health sector has remained stuck in a time warp as donor-funded drugs have dried up and service delivery continues to fall due to understaffing and poor remuneration.
Deaths at childbirth have climbed up from 283 per 100 000 live births in 1984 to 540 per 100 000 live births currently.
Only a decade ago, Zimbabwe’s public health system was ranked among the best in sub-Saharan Africa. But like the rest of Zimbabwe’s economic and social fabric during a decade-long socio-economic crisis, the health delivery system has alarmingly deteriorated.
As hospitals struggle with funding, patients have also not been spared the crisis, with many failing to settle the bills.
Cash-strapped hospitals have since roped in debt collectors to follow up on outstanding arrears or detain patients who fail to pay. Some of the debt collectors even advertise at the major hospitals.
Morale among nurses, who are paid miserly wages, remains low and there is a sense of resignation among the health staff, with many seeking greener pastures abroad.
In spite of the challenges, bankrupt Zimbabweans have to make do with what is available and often dread to visit State hospitals because of the deepening shortage of drugs.
COMMENTS
Would this be happening if our ‘leaders’ were getting local healthcare? Instead they use our money to fly overseas frequently for “routine” check ups!
very strange this website carried an article where expired drugs were found and someone was selling the drugs to the private surgeries and some were caught redhanded trying to dispose of the drugs by burning them – it was in Bulawayo absolutely disgraceful just because of the corrupt morons that are running the show
Why do we not simply state the facts without all this name calling?
“The crisis has particularly hit hard persons under-five and those over 65 years of age who, according to government policy, should be exempt from user fees.” – presume this excludes those that are unemployed and struggling sic sick
Guys lets stop the blame game as Zimbabweans are dying lets find a quick solution to save lives.i suggest that those who have money no matter how little lets wheather you are at home or outside lets put money together to save lives.Zimbabweans Zimbabweans just imagine a person loosing life because of malaria for example.Government please give us an account number we are prepared to help.People must not die.
Sure please deposit all donations into account “kiss this good bye like you did the last few billion…….thank you for voting ZanuPF…….” are you serious?
You of course must be joking – have you any idea where this money will go ? Certainly not to the poor and needy – just what oneof the Ministers is waiting for – money to buy a new Mercedes Benz for himself
Mugabe will pretend he knows nothing about this and even if he does he will deflect the news as the work of detractors tanishing Zimbabwe’s image. On the other hand Joyce will promise things will be okay in 40 years when ZIMASSET THE DEAD DUCK comes to life. Chinamasa will tell us he is working on secret ways to revive all dead sectors.
This is what those who voted ZANU were voting for
JT I know what you mean ” Those who voted for Zanu” Some would hasten to say that the majority did. I don’t buy that. Of course you have the chiefs who are on the band wagon and they also have their own little band wagons with in their Chiefdoms who benefit from the hand outs they get. I don’t think any Government could accommodate 3 million people on their band wagon let alone 13 million. We all know that the number of haves is not that big but the number of have nots is at least close to 90% of the population. Logic would suggest that most of these people would not vote for starvation. Logic would also suggest that some could be intimidated and threatened. Logic would also suggest that most would in “Professor Moyo’s words” rather vote for a Donkey. With all due respect JT I always feel sad when people say” That’s what you voted for.”Of course some voted for him. Logic would also suggest the quite on the part of the people after his “victory” that he lost badly. Logic would also suggest that the quite from Zanu after it’s “victory” they knew they cheated. Logic would also suggest by the “thank you” to China recently they had a lot of outside help from China and others. What they did not count on in the words of Tsawngirayi YOU CANNOT RIG THE ECONOMY. YOU CAN TRY. IT WON’T WORK.
Sorry I meant to say the QUIET not quite.
HHmm me thinks the end is near
Only a decade ago, Zimbabwe’s public health system was ranked among the best in sub-Saharan Africa. But like the rest of Zimbabwe’s economic and social fabric during a decade-long socio-economic crisis, the health delivery system has alarmingly deteriorated.
Now ask yourself what happene a decade ago – MDC emerged from the unions causing civic unrest.
Only a decade ago, Zimbabwe’s public health system was ranked among the best in sub-Saharan Africa. But like the rest of Zimbabwe’s economic and social fabric during a decade-long socio-economic crisis, the health delivery system has alarmingly deteriorated.
Now ask yourself what happene a decade ago – MDC emerged from the unions causing civic unrest.
Now you have your culprit , but it means that the journalist cant sprout anti government propaganda-shame, he has to be honest!
Y
You are a very confused man Apolitical. Are you writing from the funny farm?
So the MDC is responsible for funding the hospitals, I’d imagine the idiots in power may have more to do with the pathetic state of the country’s health system. Well we all know one geriatric who falls in the over 65 demographic who is not affected, he has his checks in Singapore and does not give a rats arse about the rest of you.
Thuis was how Bingu in Malawi died. No drugs, No fuel, No electricity. Had a heart attacks at night and died from it in hospital in the country he ruined. Poetic Justice!!
Zimbabweans should know better by now, drugs are in Malaysia. Educated fools.
What rubbish are you spouting now publicprotector?
The MDC emerged 10 years ago and caused the massive looting and gross mismanagement that is going on through civic unrest?!!
Would be wiser to keep quiet.
yes thre is an urgency to assist but on the hand one cannot just give money when there are loopholes in the system for others just to loot- when there was the situation in Byo no one asked for money
and even if drugs are being given instead of money it will require proper monitoring it will end up in the hands of the Private surgeries as was the case of the Bulawayo incident or sold under the counter and it will need someone that can be trusted e.g.like the human rights organisations not a political person to monitor
the reason for most of the failures is one word CORRUPTION