2 days ago
Medicine shortage leaves chronic patients without life-saving drugs at Limpopo clinic
A medication shortage at the Praktiseer clinic outside the mining town of Burgersfort in Limpopo is impacting patient care and causing serious health concerns.
The clinic has been experiencing consistent shortages of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, among other chronic illness medications, leaving many patients worried about the health consequences of missing their life-saving medication.
Elena Mosima, 52, a caregiver to 53-year-old Sipho Marule, who suffers from epilepsy, told Drum that the clinic staff continue to tell her to 'come back again next week' when she seeks medication for Sipho.
'It's about 17 weeks now without medication, and I fear he may hurt himself again. Last week, he collapsed and lost his teeth. Last month, they called the police to remove me from the clinic when I fought with the pharmacist,' Elena shares.
Another resident, 57-year-old Gladys Maboya, is a caregiver to Maria Mashego. She also returned home without receiving medication for Maria, who is mentally ill.
'We fear this shortage of medication supply can lead to disease complications.'
Some HIV patients claim they can go days and months without their chronic medication simply because the clinic has frequent stock-outs.
During a visit to the healthcare facility, patients who failed to receive their chronic medication explained their frustrations.
Despite braving cold weather and waiting for hours to be seen by healthcare workers or nurses, they often leave empty-handed without their life-saving medication.
Nurses who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal and victimisation say they are very worried and concerned about a high number of defaulters who are on HIV treatment.
'They may end up infecting others or increasing the infection rate, or becoming resistant to treatment.
'The department is arrogant and reluctant to appoint nurses and doctors who will help to reduce the backlog and take care of the well-being of patients,' they said.
Drum reached out to Limpopo health spokesperson Neil Shikwambane for comment, and this article will be updated should he respond.
The 24-hour facility operates Monday to Friday during the day without nurses working night shift, with only 3 nurses and 1 pharmacist to order and dispense medication to residents from 189 villages of the Fetakgomo Tubatse municipality.
