The Leonora Cottage Hospital, on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) is battling a drug shortage, however; regional officials have failed to notify the Public Health Ministry of the issue.
The health institution has been without much needed medication for several months, sources at the facility told Guyana Times International.
This publication was told that doctors have to issue prescriptions to patients so that they can purchase medication which would normally be issued by the hospital’s pharmacy. It was indicated that the hospital is out of basic medications, such as Panadol and antibiotics.
Earlier this year, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faerber voiced concerns over the drug shortage in the region. He related that similar issues are plaguing the West Demerara Regional Hospital and health centres across the region. However, when questioned about the issue as it relates to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dennis Jaikarran denied having any knowledge of the issue.
Meanwhile, Dr George Norton on Wednesday alleged that regional officials failed to notify him of the shortage that is plaguing the Hospital.
“I just had a meeting with my Permanent Secretary with the regional authorities; that is the Chairman, the REO and the Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Three, and in that meeting I made it known in no uncertain terms that I am not impressed with what is taking place on the regional level. While they have been saying to me that there is no shortage… on the ground, that might not be the case,” he related.
The Minister said he was not prepared to deny the claims that there was a drug shortage at the medical facility at Leonora, since similar situations exist across the country.
Earlier this week, Norton indicated that the change in the procurement system is probably the likely cause for the drug shortages being experienced at certain public health facilities across Guyana.
Meanwhile, addressing the issue of patients having to purchase medication, Dr Norton explained that it is not the duty of the patient to procure the necessary medication, but rather, the responsibility of the Hospital administrator.
