SIKIKA is disappointed by the government’s response to the shortages of medicine &
medical supplies in the country. Of late, there have been reports from all over
the country about this crisis but the government has not intervened promptly,
hence, exposing its citizens under risk of advance and complicated illness and
even death.
We
had expected to see the government looking at the matter critically including
committing itself to pay MSD the whole debt (Tshs. 90 billion), immediately. It
is unfortunate that the amount set to repay MSD is not enough, the Tsh. 20
billion (already disbursed to MOHSW) and Tsh 11 billion to be disbursed in a
month time. We argue for an immediate full repayment so as to enable MSD to
improve the procurement and supply of medicine and medical supplies in order to
decrease the current shortage in the country.
The
MSD debt could have been paid a long time ago and the strategies for avoiding
accumulation of debt could have been in place.
So many times, the Members of Parliament and in particular the Social
Services Committee have requested the government to repay MSD. The current
situation could have been avoided if the government could listen and act
promptly. Unfortunately, the debt was
left to accumulate and the repayment plans were still not adequate.
As
mentioned earlier, the current crisis of the shortage of medicine and supplies
was caused by the accumulated debt at MSD, which led MSD to stop supplying
medicines and medical supplies to health facilities with debt. However, the
shortage of medicines and supplies in the country is chronic and needs to be
solved deliberately. The main causes of stock outs in the country are
inadequate budget allocations for essential medicine and supplies, delays in
the distribution of allocated funds, inaccurate forecasting of the demand and
stock outs at the MSD. So, we urge the government to also address the core
causes of the shortages of medicine and supplies as they repay MSD full amount.
For
instance, at Sinza Palestina hospital, the debt at MSD was about Tsh. 93
million. In October through the disbursed health basket fund, the hospital
ordered medicine and supplies worth about Tsh. 100 million. However, the
hospital received consignment worth Tsh. 25 million as MSD deducted Tsh. 75
million for paying the debt. As a result, the consignment received at Sinza
Palestina hospital is only used for emergencies, as it cannot suffice the
requirements of the hospital, about 600 patients per day leading to shortages
of medicine as widely reported by the media.
The experience at Sinza Palestina hospital is similar to many other
hospitals so it is a time for the government to ensure the shortage of the
medicines and supplies becomes history in the country.
We
therefore request the government to deliberate efforts in solving the chronic problem of stock out in public
health facilities by addressing the root causes and not just the emerge
branches. We continue to advocate for the budget increase to at least half of
the country’s requirements, Tsh.250 billion per year. We also plea that, the
MoFEA should disburse the whole amount of allocated funds to health facilities
accounts at MSD at the beginning of the financial year.
We
also call the MSD to strengthen the procurement and distribution of the
medicine and supplies chain by ensuring that no stock outs occur at the
warehouses. In addition, the MSD should minimize the delays in the distribution
and deliveries to public health facilities and to improve the back order system
for missed and unfilled items. Lastly, the MSD should improve efficiency,
transparency and accountability in the supply chain system, which are the key
pillars in the medicine supply chain system.
Sikika
understands and would also like to make clarification again to the public that
the recent disbursement freeze by development partners is only for the General
Budget Support and not the Health Sector Basket Support of which one third of
it is used for procurement of essential medicines and medical supplies
In
conclusion, we would like to commend the Minister of Health and Social Welfare
and the Permanent Secretary for the recent directive to stop the Muhimbili
National Hospital (MNH) from raising the prices for the medical services. The
new prices could not only deny many citizens the right to affordable health
care, but it is also unjust to involve patients who seek medical care in paying
the hospital’s debt.
Mr. Irenei Kiria,
Executive Director of Sikika,
P. O. Box 12183 Dar
es Salaam,
Tel: +255 222 666355/57, Fax: 2668015, Email: info@sikika.or.tz,
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