By Nokunceda Magagula
In a bid to help curb the drug crisis faced by Eswatini, SwaziPharm has donated medical supplies and pharmaceuticals worth E1.8 million to the Ministry of Health.
The donation took place at SwaziPharm premises in Matsapha on Monday, the medical supplies were handed over by Director of SwaziPharm Kareem Ashraff and received by Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Khanya Mabuza on behalf of the Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, Mabuza poured his sincere gratitude to the SwaziPharm Director, stating that when he was first informed by Ashraff that he wanted to make this kind of donation, he was glad because he knew that the need for medication in Eswatini’s hospital is extremely high.
“When the Director informed me that he wanted to make this kind of donation, I took it from the heart and I was glad because I knew that the need for medical supplies in our hospitals is very high,” the principal secretary said.
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Mabuza said he is also glad that the SwaziPharm officers together with the officers from the Ministry of Health were able to work to expedite the manner to recommend the items to be donated. Mabuza said he is very confident that the items donated will assist those who need them the most, which is their patients who seek care in the country’s health facilities.
Acknowledging the challenges brought by the shortage of drugs in hospitals, Mabuza said this is a difficult time for the Ministry, the country, and also patients.
“During this time of crisis the Ministry is glad to witness this venture as it complements the efforts to reorganize the government and improve the situation of drug shortage that has engulfed this beautiful kingdom in a severe manner over the past few years,” Mabuza asserted.
The Principal Secretary asked emaSwati to bear with them as they are working day and night to better the situation. “It is a problem that has been going on over years, it is not something we can solve overnight,” Mabuza said.
He emphasized that the Ministry has stepped up efforts to address the issue through implementing strategies, which include developing short-term and long-term strategies. “I am confident that with this team we are all working collaboratively with other Ministries to end this challenge,” Mabuza said.
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The Ministry’s short-term strategy includes looking closely at suppliers, improving the warehouse, and improving management systems to enhance the security of the medication. Mabuza said the long-term strategy includes making sure that such a crisis never happens again.
“We are looking at the governance of the medical central stores closely, including the procurement system to ensure efficiency and attain a supply chain that will last,” Mabuza said.
SwaziPharm to destroy medical supply worth 20 million
The director of SwaziPharm Kareem Ashraff said due to the expiry of drugs stored in their warehouse because the company is not receiving orders, he can confirm that today they will destroy medical supplies worth E20 million.
Ashraff said the medical supply being destroyed is mostly the medication that is currently in demand in government hospitals. “It is very disheartening that people are dying in hospitals while we have medication lying around,” the director said.
He mentioned that the health crisis seems like a self-made crisis because the government is giving orders to suppliers who do not have stock and leaving suppliers who have stock at hand. Ashraff said that in their stock they still have medical suppliers worth E50 million waiting for the government to make its order through the tender that still exists.