Strangely enough, it seems that whilst health workers are scrambling to get hold of critical supplies, borrowing from other institutions, and even begging supplies from private facilities, those at the helm are dragging their feet in addressing the problem.

Information from several sources claimed they are facing a critical shortage of surgical supplies and battling a communication breakdown with the Mpumalanga Pharmaceutical Depot in Middelburg, from where they receive stock.

Sources say that the depot system reflects hundreds of items in stock when, in fact, the storerooms are mostly empty. They also claim that although there might be medical supplies, there are almost no surgical supplies.

“How do you run a hospital if you have no needles? How on earth does a hospital run out of needles?” a concerned source asked.

A recent meeting with the depot has been called a ‘waste of time’ by one source, who claimed that the depot manager is an ‘outright bully’ who meets enquiries and urgent requests with hostility.

“Why do we have to re-order stock that we have already ordered? It only serves to try and pin the blame on us for not ordering on time, which is not true. If you dare ask what the problem is, you are simply moved to the back of the line to wait even longer.”

“The depot manager tells the MEC and the premier that we have received orders. What he does not tell them is that we have only received a handful of items.”

Also read: Chaos at provincial health facilities after contract dispute

In several instances across the province, the loss of patients’ lives was connected to a shortage of supplies.

“Although we cannot say that the absence of an IC drain to drain fluids off the lungs of a critically injured patient that was in a motor vehicle accident is the sole reason he passed away, it certainly was a contributing factor. People are literally dying as we speak. Hospitals are begging for supplies, such as needles, from each other.”

A third source says that they are left between a rock and a hard place, having to explain why they cannot provide doctors and hospitals with surgical supplies, whilst the depot claims they have supplies in stock.

“If the right people do not start paying attention to this, we are left to scramble, and I do not see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Also read: MEC asked to intervene at depot

Www.mobserver.co.za has seen a list of items from one local hospital, asking if someone can assist with sutures.

“How do you sew up a wound or a caesarean without sutures?” a fourth source, who provided the list, asked.

• The DA’s provincial leader in Mpumalanga, Jane Sithole, said, “The DA is aware of the critical shortages of medicine within the hospitals and clinics and has reported this to the human rights commissioner. The DA will engage with HRC to speed up their investigation. It is critical that all hospitals and clinics offer effective primary health care, but they can’t do this with a severe shortage of medication.”

• Mpumalanga Department of Health spokesperson Dumisani Malamule said, “The department is currently not aware of hospitals and clinics with critical shortages of supplies where people are dying due to such shortages. Pharmaceutical supplies are monitored weekly through a stock visibility system that shows 92% availability of essential medicines. The department will therefore appreciate it if it could be furnished with specifics regarding the allegations, and we will be pleased to provide a befitting response.”

• The Premier’s office did not reply to media enquiries.

• Oliver Schwankhart, managing director of Bongani Rainmaker, the company that runs operations at the depot, also did not reply to media enquiries.