Africa-Press – Eswatini. The National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) have been brought in to assist the Ministry of Health in the procurement of medicines and medical supplies, as Eswatini grapples with a nationwide drug shortage.
This was announced by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on Friday, during a media briefing aimed at addressing the deepening health crisis. The Prime Minister explained that the two agencies were selected due to their proven experience and efficiency in emergency procurement.
“NERCHA has demonstrated success in securing HIV treatment drugs over the years, and NDMA excelled during the COVID-19 pandemic by sourcing critical materials swiftly and legally,” said Dlamini. “We are confident they will strengthen efforts to ensure that essential medicines reach our public health facilities without delay.”
Fast-Tracking Drug Availability
Dlamini stated that involving NERCHA and NDMA is part of his office’s direct intervention strategy to stabilise medicine supply in the country’s clinics and hospitals. While the Ministry of Health continues to address the issue internally, the additional support is expected to accelerate the procurement and delivery process.
He also highlighted that while there have been some improvements in drug availability, “we are not yet where we need to be.”
Plans to Reform Central Medical Stores
The Prime Minister also revealed that Government is working towards converting the Central Medical Stores (CMS) into a parastatal, which would improve oversight and efficiency. However, he cautioned that this process would take time due to the legislative amendments involved.
In the meantime, pharmacists have been assigned to CMS to monitor and track all outgoing medications, ensuring that no stock is lost or misallocated.
“We must account for every medicine that leaves the CMS,” Dlamini stressed. “This is the only way to ensure that drugs reach all corners of the country.”
A Step Toward Health Sector Stability
The collaborative approach between the Ministry of Health, NERCHA, NDMA, and other stakeholders is a critical step towards restoring confidence in Eswatini’s public health system. With essential medicines running low in many facilities, the move is seen as a necessary and urgent response.
“The goal is simple,” the Prime Minister said. “To make sure that no patient in Eswatini is turned away because of medicine shortages.”
Summary:
NERCHA and NDMA will assist in procurement of medicines due to their efficiency and track record.
CMS is being restructured into a parastatal to improve accountability.
Pharmacists now deployed at CMS to monitor stock movement.
Government aims to stabilise public health facilities and ensure nationwide drug availability.
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