CANCER FEARS AMID SHORTAGE OF PAP SMEAR

LOBAMBA – More women are at risk of dying of late-diagnosed cervical cancer as public health facilities have not been conducting pap smears for over two years due to shortages of reagents.

Maseyisini Member of Parliament (MP) Nokuthula Dlamini has moved that the Minister of Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, shall investigate the shortage of reagents used to conduct pap smear. Pap smear is a procedure in which a small brush is used to gently remove cells from the surface of the cervix and the area around it so they can be checked under a microscope for cervical cancer or cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.

The MP moved that the minister of Health initiated an investigation to ascertain the causes of shortages of critical drugs and medical consumables for theatre patients, which among others, are reagents for pap smears, sutures, bandages (primapore bandages), paracetamol IV adco and other related drugs and medical consumables for theatre patients. “The minister must be further directed to table a comprehensive report detailing findings and lasting solutions to address the shortages. The honourable minister should table the report within seven days after the adoption of the motion by the House,” she said.

Drugs

As she was motivating her motion, Dlamini said the named drugs were crucial. “Pap smears are no longer conducted in government health facilities. It has been years they say. The health practitioners said there had been out of chemicals. Women are at risk of dying of cancer if they do not do these tests. Theatres are a sham as patients are expected to bring their own anaesthetic drugs. She added that there were no sutures as people have to pay up to E6 000 to be operated on at government hospitals. The MP said the sad part was that not everyone could afford it. Dlamini added that after operations, hospitals cannot clean the wounds because there is also a shortage of medical supplies used to clean wounds. “The amputated are expected to put their own bandages known as primapore and pain drugs. The premipore is very expensive and should be changed once a week. The situation is bad in theatres. If there is someone who is behind this shortage, that individual should have mercy on the nation. Please investigate and find lasting solutions,” she moved.

Experience

Lomahasha MP Zabele Mashaba, who seconded the motion said they were not speaking just because they wanted to be popular, but they were speaking based on things they experience daily. “I went to some hospitals, and government hospitals are worse off. The minister should ensure the safety of emaSwati. Before a patient could be operated on, a family has to hold a meeting to see if they will be able to afford all the medical drugs and supplies,” she said. The minister accepted the motion and promised that a comprehensive report would be tabled in Parliament. “Thank you for the motion. What is good is that the two also applaud the good and I appreciate that they raised issues of concern as well,” he said.

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