DRUGS SHORTAGE: GOOD SAMARITANS TO OSHOEK CRASH VICTIMS’ RESCUE

MBABANE – The shortage of medication in government hospitals has placed the victims of the Oshoek accident at the mercy of good Samaritans for assistance.

Two Saturdays ago, an accident at the Oshoek Border Gate, located on the South African side of the border connecting Eswatini and South Africa, resulted in the involvement of 12 passengers. Reports indicated that a truck lost control, leading to a pile-up involving multiple vehicles, including a kombi. Eyewitness accounts suggest that all 12 accident victims were rapidly transported to Mbabane Government Hospital, where five remain hospitalised.

Sources disclosed that several patients are enduring excruciating pain and have been forced to rely on assistance from the truck owner to obtain medication, which has reportedly run out.
They mentioned that since their arrival at the health facility nearly a week ago, they have had to purchase various medications from private clinics.  The medication required includes injections, bandages and intravenous therapy (IV therapy) to administrate fluids, medications and nutrients directly into their veins.

It was gathered that patients had been struggling to procure some of the necessary medical supplies and had been issued prescription letters instead. Reports indicate that the management of the truck involved in the accident has extended help by providing the necessary medication. Ntobeko Dlamini, the Manager of the involved courier and freight company, confirmed that they have been assisting the patients with medical supplies. Dlamini stated that since the accident, up until the previous Friday, they had spent E4 300 on medicines and other supplies.
“This amount is not exhaustive. On Saturday, we had to purchase additional injections for one of the patients, who was experiencing complications, and we will be procuring more today, as we have been informed that additional supplies are required,” she said.

Meanwhile, some individuals connected to this publication revealed that they had attempted to transfer to a private hospital to access all necessary medications. However, this effort was thwarted when they were informed that an advance payment of E20 000 was required. One individual said: “We were told that the E20 000 did not cover the costs of tests or any operations that might be necessary.” The sources indicated that the patients had been transferred to a local public health facility due to its proximity to the accident scene. However, they lamented that this move has hindered their recovery process, as they have not had access to adequate medical care, which would typically be covered by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa.

The Road Accident Fund is a juristic entity established through the Road Accident Fund Act of 1996, responsible for providing timely support to all road users within South Africa’s borders. Its primary objectives include rehabilitating and compensating individuals injured as a result of motor vehicle accidents and promoting safe road usage throughout the country. According to Section 3 of the RAF Act, the fund is mandated to provide compensation for loss or damage caused wrongfully by the operation of a motor vehicle.

Victims

The RAF’s website reveals that its client base includes not only the South African public, but also foreign nationals within the country. The fund offers two types of coverage: Personal cover for accident victims or their families and indemnity cover for wrongdoers. In contrast, the ongoing medication shortage in the country has been well-documented, with a forensic investigation recently uncovering significant challenges within the health sector.

The investigation indicated issues such as the theft of certain medication supplies and the delivery of some medical provisions to the Central Medical Stores (CMS) close to their expiration dates. Furthermore, it was discovered that some medications were supplied without being ordered at all. Despite the report’s submission and subsequent adoption by Parliament in February 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has yet to subpoena or arrest any individuals connected to these issues.

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