Picture this scenario: Doris from Nondweni (an area just outside of Mondlo) takes her monthly bus ride to Vryheid to collect her medication that helps her cope with Schizophrenia.
She arrives at Vryheid Hospital and waits three to four hours in line and when she finally reaches the pharmacy counter is informed that the hospital is out of Risperdal pills.
These are the pills that she needs to cope with this long-term mental disorder involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behaviour, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion, and a sense of mental fragmentation.
No alternative is available for the medication and after standing in the corridor for another hour in denial, Doris finally lets out a defeated sigh before making her way back home empty handed.
This scenario may be a reality for many people in Vryheid who collect their medication at Vryheid Hospital as medication shortages arise.
One particular resident said that he had not been receiving his medication for ADHD and depression at the hospital for the past three months.
“I’m busy studying but cannot concentrate without Ritalin. I also need my sleeping pills. I am terribly worried as no one seems to be standing up for us mentally challenged people,” this resident wrote to the Vryheid Herald.
According to Imran Keeka, a member of the Health Portfolio in Provincial Legislature representing the Democratic Alliance, medication shortages are affecting the whole province.
“The matter cannot be nailed down to one specific issue, one can only point out that public health pharmacies are battling it out for limited resources,” said Keeka.
He pointed out that many health facilities were currently working on a first come first serve basis and as a result communities are suffering.
Mr Keeka said that the issue was first picked up in 2014, and a letter was written to the KZN Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo last year, but no response was received.
Keeka said that medications that are commonly short include Risperdal, Haloperidol, Lansoprazole and Carbamazepine.
“Shortages vary from institution to institution, but these medications are a common concern. This seems to be a resource management issue among pharmacy managers at public health facilities all around the province,” he said.
The Vryheid Herald contacted Vryheid Hospital with regards to the matter but was still awaiting response at the time of going to print.
Also read: Vryheid Hospital buckles under water crisis weight.
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