No shortage of essential medical supplies
Public Health Minister Dr George Norton addressing the House on Thursday
Public Health Minister Dr George Norton addressing the House on Thursday

– Dr Norton

By Svetlana Marshall
GUYANA’S health care system is not in crisis, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton told the National Assembly on Tuesday, as he dispelled suggestions of a widespread shortage of essential medical supplies.In a motion brought before the House by former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, it was alleged that Article 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to

PPP/C Member of Parliament Dr Frank Anthony defending his motion in the House
PPP/C Member of Parliament Dr Frank Anthony defending his motion in the House

free medical attention, is being breached.

Dr Anthony, in his motion, said that although the Ministry’s budgetary allocation had tripled in 2016 — to $19B from a low of $5B in 2015, of which $5B have been set aside for the procurement and distribution of medicines and medical supplies — there is a countrywide shortage of basic and essential drugs and medical supplies.

In 2015, more than $600M allocated for medicines and medical supplies had not been utilised.

In defence of his motion on Tuesday, the Opposition Member of Parliament cited a number of cases. He reported that during a recent Public Accountants Committee meeting, a staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) would have indicated that there was a shortage of 168 items.

“We have received reports that at many of the hospitals, health centres and health posts across this country, there are varying shortages of medical supplies,” he posited, while contending that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has received numerous complaints from patients about the lack of medicines and medical supplies.

According to him, many patients, particularly those with chronic diseases, are often forced to purchase the prescribed medication.

“It is quite an untenable situation, especially for many poor people who depend on the public health system for their medication. When the public health system malfunctions, it is literally a life-and-death situation,” he said.

A wide range of intravenous antibiotics, aspirins, Septrin, worm tablets, and antifungal treatments such as fluconazole are among the medications alleged to be out of stock, in addition to syringes, oxygen masks, and other medical supplies.

Considering the overwhelming complaints received from the central hospital and regional hospitals and health centres, Dr Anthony, through his motion, sought to have an investigation launched to determine magnitude of the situation, and to obtain a better understanding of the drugs and medical supplies that are out of stock.

The PPP/C member had the unwavering support of his colleagues, including Dr Jennifer Westford, Pauline Sukhai and Yvonne Pearson. But when the Public Health Minister took to the floor, he told the House that there is no need for an investigation into the alleged shortage. Dr Norton told the House that this issue is one of the most misrepresented issues in the public health sector within recent times.

Checks to health institutions across the country would reveal that there is no shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies, Dr Norton emphasised.

“I personally visited the regions: from White Water Creek in Region One to Sand Creek in Region Two; from Moleson Creek in Region Six to Bamboo Creek in Region Eight. I have been there, and I know what takes place,” Dr Norton said while maintaining that there was neither evidence nor report of a stock-out of essential medical supplies or medication.

“I want to say, Mr Speaker, that categorically, there is no crisis in the health sector (insofar) as it relates to medicine and medical supplies,” he added.

However, the minister conceded that the public health sector has had shortage of a “few” medical supplies, but not essential medicines. He told the House that steps are being taken to remedy the situation.

Minister Norton said that, contrary to reports published in sections of the media, the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is assisting his Ministry with the importation of medicines and medical supplies, not because of a shortage, but to ensure a smooth transition from the single-sourcing method which was employed over the years by the PPP/C to the new procurement method which will allow small, medium and large-scale medical institutions to supply drugs and medical supplies.

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