Dikoloti calms panic on drug shortage
Good as Health minister, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti’s overture this week was, it came a little too late.
The public is already agitated about the absence of medicines in public health facilities. Any allaying of these fears should have been done much sooner!
In his first press conference at the Central Medical Stores (CMS) on Monday, Dikoloti brought with him among others Coordinator of the Greater Francistown District Health Medical Team (DHMT), Dr. Ivan Moses Kgetsi, Superintendent of Princess Marina Hospital Dr. Boago Didimalang, Thandi Kgosietsele DHMT Coordinator Mahalapye, Gaboelwe Rammekwa Coordinator DMHT Kgalagadi South, Dr. Mogomotsi Matshaba of Baylor Clinic, and his Board Chairman Michael Mizwa.
The personnel came handy in sharing information and giving updates on the situation on the ground. Dikoloti was first to acknowledge that the issue of medical supplies in the country has become so topical and critical for people such that regular updates on the situation has become so necessary to keep people well-informed.
Giving an example, Kgetsi revealed that in his area which starts from Serule to Ramokgwebana, in-terms of drugs like ARVs, they have in stock 14 out of 15 drugs needed; they are only missing one called Abacavir. He said more than 85 percent of people who are on ARVs, are using a drug called TLD, which is in short supply.
Dr. Kgetsi said that the outbreak of COVID-19 also brought its positives when both public and private facilities worked much more closely together, borrowing each other drugs which were needed to save lives when one of the parties did not have in stock.
He explained that the decisions were made in line with international practice standards. All the stipulated safety and procurement processes including quality assurances are followed at the time of return in the stock, Kgetsi said.
Kgetsi raised concern that when such a process is taking place between public facilities no one complains, but, once the private facility gets involved, it is treated with suspicion with people choosing to forget that there is only one patient who has to be taken care of.
Dikoloti spoke about billions that have been spent thus far, saying the first consignment of four list items comprising mainly cancer medications to the tune of over P1.7 million has been received. The second batch of cancer medicines with 10 list items at a cost of over R5.4 million is in order.
The third consignment sourced through IDA Foundation comprising 65 line items with most commonly used antibiotics, hypertension, diabetes medicines and other commodities to the tune of US$1 475 447, 65 will be air-freighted from Netherlands this week and is expected before the end of January, 2023.
The fourth consignment comprising 13 line items of critical cardiovascular medicines and antibiotics to the tune of US$1 048 665 procured through Baylor College of Medicine through a company based in Canada called Apotex will also come by air in the next two weeks.
“We will also be receiving more medicines from IDA Foundation by sea valued at US$1 097 655, 45 by April, 2023 which will be our fifth consignment from Baylor College of Medicine."
He said Botswana has other partners who continue to support the Ministry and the people of Botswana in sourcing important medicines across the world.
Through a longstanding agreement UNICEF continues to assist with childhood vaccines and other medicines as the need arises.
"We are currently awaiting delivery of two types of vaccines at a cost of US$229 440 in the next two weeks. In addition, procurement of four types of vaccines at US$1 605 520,60 is ongoing,” Dikoloti said.