Temu: Medicines on the way

By REBECCA KUKU
HEALTH facilities should expect their new supplies of medicine by the end of the month, according to Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Sir Puka Temu.
Sir Puka, pictured, said the 100 per cent medical kits for clinics and aid posts should arrive in the country by the end of January and distributed throughout the country.
He was responding to complaints received from clinics and health centres about the shortage of medicine.
National Doctors’ Association Secretary Dr Sam Yockopua said that many hospitals and health facilities had run short of medicine and were struggling.
He hopes that new supplies would arrive soon.
Sir Puka said contractor Borneo Pacific Pharmaceutical Ltd had already procured the supplies.
“We are expecting the medicines to arrive on January 23. Once they arrive, the four regional contractors will start distributing,” he said.
“All clinics, aid posts and health centres will have new supplies of medicine by the end of the month.”
Sir Puka said hospitals around the country were making emergency purchases until the new stocks arrived.
“We should be okay this year, as will be implementing a six-month buffer programme for the procurement and distribution of medicine and pharmaceutical drugs,” he said.
“We are also awaiting the medical supply funds and I have already spoken with the Treasury Minister for the warrants to be issued so that we can keep the supply of medicine flowing under the new six-month buffer to ensure that all hospitals, clinics, health centres and aid posts are fully stocked.”