Drug shortage in Tari

THE National Health Department is in the dark over the drug shortage affecting Tari hospital in the Southern Highlands province.
Health secretary Dr Clement Malau was not available for comment when contacted.
However, Igo Baru, director of medical supplies branch in Port Moresby said he could not get reports about the shortage from the area medical store in Mt Hagen.
He said the Mt Hagen medical store phone lines have been cut off and he was having difficulty in communicating with the manager Graham Mappa.
Mr Baru said his office was in the dark and could not establish contact with the Mt Hagen medical store. He said a shipment for Tari was made recently but was forced to return to Mt Hagen due to a road block at Nipa.
Acting provincial health advisor Michael Mombu said he did not understand why the medical store was not supplying the drugs, adding that all health centres and hospitals get their medical supplies and drugs from the medical store.
He said it was the responsibility of respective health centres and hospitals to “place their orders” on time to get their medical supplies in order to prevent the shortage.
He said in the last two months, drugs supply to the province had not been steady and there might be a delay in the transport of drugs from Lae to Mt Hagen.
Mr Mombu said the provincial health office did not receive any official report about the shortage.
Tari hospital dispenser Pius Aunal said he had submitted his order but did not receive the supplies for the last two months. The clinical health extension officer Clement Kaiman said there are no drugs and patients are made to fend for themselves.
He said there is an increase in malaria patients and three people have reportedly died while one woman died on her way at Kandep when trying to seek further medical assistance in Mendi and Mt Hagen.
Mr Kaiman said the hospital’s only microscope to test malaria blood samples also broke down last week and they could not do blood tests for malaria patients. Hospital matron Sr Elizabeth Tumbiago said apart from the drug dilemma, the 69 plus nursing staff are demoralised and frustrated over the non payment of their outstanding dues, over-time claims and higher duty allowances.