Lack of medicines in our clinics must end

IN regards to reports of shortages of medical drugs at Kavieng Hospital (The National, June 14), I would like to express my thoughts, which could be of relevance to responsible authorities.
In simple economic terms, we were taught in schools that the wants of mankind is never-ending.
But they should be distinguished from the needs.
Medical services, including me­dicines, should be among the priority areas of government funding.
Translating words into actions remains a problem in PNG, both at political and management levels.
For instance, I was at Gerehu St John Hospital assisting a friend when I saw a notice posted about medicines not available at the cli­nic.
Most of the medicines listed were antibiotics for children.
Taking this and the Kavieng scenarios into consideration, the following could be of serious concern:
l    Where did the patient come from?
l    How much has the patient already spent on transport to seek medical attention?
l    How many guardians accompanied the patients in the true spirit of the Melanesian way?
l    How much has been spent on their lunch?
l    What is the gross domestic product of the family?
l    How much has the patient been charged for medical checks and othe­r utilities?
And now, the patient is told to buy drugs from a private pharmacy.
If it were a condition where the patient requires antibiotics treatment, how could health care practitioners allow a patient to take his/her first antibiotic treatment without a continuation of supply?
By then, the patient would have already spent all the money he/she has.
It is ridiculous such an essential live-saving items are not available.
How can we boast of continued economic growth when the real needs are far from reach?
Kavieng Hospital does not have many drugs because of technical issues at Area Medical Stores.
How much longer would you expect those issues to last?
Who do we blame?
Do we blame the hospital’s management or the health department?
Problems should not be left to go on.
There should be a way of rectifying issues on hand and finding solutions.
The Health Department has to put in more effort to deliver essential drugs to all Papua New Guineans.

Observer
Via email