KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has assured residents that there is no widespread medication shortage in the province, despite concerns raised in the media. During a walkabout at Wentworth Hospital on Thursday, Simelane addressed the issue of stock availability, saying that the department uses a stock visibility system to track and manage inventory. According to the system, a stock level between 90% and 100% is classified as “green,” meaning there is double the required amount of medication, while a range of 80% to 90% is considered “amber,” indicating caution and the need to reorder.
Simelane was quick to dismiss claims that KwaZulu-Natal’s medication stock availability had dropped to as low as 60%. She explained that while some facilities might experience a drop in certain medications, it does not mean there is a general shortage. Factors such as delays in delivery from suppliers, late orders, or issues with service providers not having the required stock could contribute to this temporary situation. However, she emphasized that the department always works to ensure alternatives are available when a specific brand or type of medication is unavailable.
“I want to assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that we do not have a medication shortage,” Simelane stated. She explained that when shortages do occur, healthcare facilities can request medication from other nearby clinics or consult the provincial depot, which stores a reserve of essential medicines. If necessary, the department can also source medications from other provinces to meet local needs.
Acting Head of Department (HOD) Penny Msimango confirmed that across the province, the availability of medication is generally between 80% and 90%, with some districts in a “green” status and others in “amber.” Msimango noted that while some hospitals have faced shortages, clinics have been able to maintain adequate stock levels.
Despite the provincial health department’s assurances, not all patients share the same confidence. A woman who visited Mbalenhle Community Healthcare Centre on Sunday described her experience with the facility’s lack of medication. She had gone to the clinic with symptoms of the flu and asthma, but when she asked for treatment, she was told that common medications, including cough mixture and asthma inhalers, were out of stock. The nurse suggested using home remedies like brown sugar and lemon for her cough and advised her to make do with the limited asthma medication available. This left the patient feeling frustrated and concerned about the availability of essential medicines.
Simelane’s reassurances about the province’s overall medication stock levels contrast with the reality some patients are experiencing on the ground. While the Health MEC insists there is no medication shortage, the ongoing challenges faced by residents suggest that gaps in supply, along with delays and miscommunications, remain significant hurdles in the healthcare system.
