by Gina Maka’a
An asthmatic patient died at the Emergency Ward of the National Referral Hospital last week due to the worsening shortage of drug that is currently experienced at the National Referral Hospital.
Despite assurances from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the crisis of drug shortage at the National Referral Hospital persists as a grave concern.
In a recent public statement, the Ministry pledged its commitment to resolving the situation and reported a substantial supply delivery to the hospital last Thursday. They optimistically anticipated a return to normal operations by the end of last week once all supplies were in place.
However, starkly contrasting reports have emerged to In-depth Solomons, citing anonymous sources. These insiders paint a far grimmer picture of the situation at the National Referral Hospital.
According to one anonymous source, conditions at the hospital have significantly deteriorated. The tragic loss of the asthmatic patient, who couldn’t access the necessary medication, serves as a poignant example of the crisis’s severity.
Pharmacy consumables and drugs/fluids that out of stock at the NRH. Photo: NRH Insider.
The dedicated doctors and nurses at the National Referral Hospital are tirelessly working to provide care, but the crippling drug shortage severely limits their ability to do so effectively.
One concerned source urgently declared, “The current situation is so critical that only emergency cases can be attended to; that’s how dire it is.”
This source also revealed that a memorandum had been circulated to provincial hospitals, advising against sending elective cases to the NRH surgical team due to a severe shortage of anesthetic agents and consumables, allowing them to focus solely on dire emergencies.
A recent Ministry of Health and Medical Services statement reports medicine stock at the National Medical Store at 79% and consumables stockpile at 95%.
The persistent issue of drug shortages at the National Referral Hospital has raised alarms among medical professionals and health practitioners. This alarming situation has endured for several years without any promising resolution.
Prominent Solomon Islander, Mike Heta, expressed his concern, describing the drug scarcity as a disheartening reality for Solomon Islanders. He emphasized that the gravity of the situation should not be underestimated.
“The disheartening reality is that this shortage extends beyond medicines; it affects even basic consumables. The impact is severe and has reached a point where patient safety is at risk,” he conveyed.
Highlighting broader implications, Mr. Heta questioned, “If our main hospital faces such issues, what about our rural healthcare centers? They have also voiced concerns over the absence of essential drugs like Panadol and Coartem.”
Mr. Heta further probed, “Who should be held accountable for this? Is it a matter of inadequate funding? We’ve heard reports of drug containers sitting idle at the wharf for extended periods. Could it be a global supply chain issue, or perhaps the centralization of procurement from medical stores to headquarters is to blame?”
A statement on the Solomon Islands Government Portal reveals increased cooperation between the Ministry and the Ministry of Finance, resulting in the significant clearance of medical supply containers at the local wharf.
Spreadsheet of names of medicines that are currently our of stock. Photo: NRH Insider
Currently, 13 containers are being offloaded at the National Medical Store (NMS). These containers include five with normal saline, four with Personal Protective Equipment, two with plaster, cotton wool, peanut ruff (nutritional supplements for children), and an incinerator for the National Referral Hospital. Five have already been emptied this week and returned to the Port.
In response to the escalating drug crisis, a glimmer of hope has emerged as 12 containers at the Solomon Ports have been cleared. The unloading process, directed towards the National Medical Store (NMS), commenced this week and is set to continue over the coming weekend.
These shipments are a lifeline, providing much-needed supplies for the beleaguered hospital.
These containers house a variety of essential medical supplies. One contains gum boots crucial for maintaining sanitary conditions. Another holds a shipment of Anti-Malaria drugs (Coartem), vital in the fight against this prevalent disease. A third container is filled with antiseptics and disinfectants, fundamental for infection control.
Two containers carry sodium lactate compound infusion, a vital rehydration solution used for mineral replacement in patients. A significant portion, six containers, are packed with normal saline, a staple in medical treatments.
Finally, a container filled with various antibiotics arrives to replenish the hospital’s dwindling supply.
Solomon Star front poage story today carries a story that the 21 containers that were missing two years ago were recovered this week, and hoped to help in addressing drug shortage.