GOVT HAS FAILED US - PATIENTS

MBABANE – “Government has failed us!”

This was the lamentation by patients at the Mbabane Government Hospital, who are seeking the highest powers to help them out after government failed to assist them with appropriate medical care. The patients, mostly the elderly, said they had no money to purchase drugs from private pharmacies, hence their first stop was at the Mbabane Government Hospital whenever they felt sick. However, the patients said they were fed up as it was now becoming a norm to visit the hospital and not get the necessary medication. According to the patients, nurses knowingly prescribed something that was not available. Most of the patients felt that government was not prioritising their health, yet it was essential and for the country to attain the first world status, it had to have a healthy nation.

Significante

n the recently launched Eswatini Strategic Road map, health and education were highlighted as the country’s strengths, with significant investment in health services. It also states that there was an improved HIV and Aids awareness and access to health care, improved malaria control and access to free primary education. As far as significant investment in health is concerned, it seems the country is way below reaching that mark with the deteriorating health system. Essential drugs, including antiretrovirals (ART) are running out of stock and patients had to be given half their dose of what they normally received. Other medication which was not available included blood pressure drugs, among others, adulot, antonuostatine and simple allergic caynelnty eye-drops.

Patients who were interviewed yesterday vented their frustration over the issue of drug shortages, adding that it had gone out of control. When sought for comment on the issue of the severe drug shortage, Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula said they acknowledged the sloppiness on their part which was aggravated by the holidays, making progress slow.
Magagula said drug deliveries would be made today at the Mbabane Government Hospital before other facilities received their orders. 

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