CHAIRMAN of Region Two’s Health and Sanitation Committee, Arnold Adams, has told his fellow councillors that the region’s drug shortage issue is being addressed and that the Ministry of Health is currently in the process of procuring the required types of medicines.
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) member was at the time responding to concerns raised by opposition councillor, Trevor Cozier, about the issue. During a statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) held on Wednesday at Anna Regina, Cozier stated that several essential medications at the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity is in short supply.
Cozier told the council that patients seeking medical attention at the hospital have to incur additional expenses to buy “simple” medication such as amoxicillin. He, therefore, called on the RDC to make the necessary recommendations to urgently remedy the situation.
Adams said the Director of General Health Services, Dr. Vishwanauth Mahadeo, was recently in the region, and all concerns were raised with him. Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Leslie

Ramsammy, who was also in the region, was updated on the drug shortage situation and was also informed about the challenges that are plaguing the region’s health sector, Adams said.
He said that he will “follow-up” with the relevant authorities, particularly on the shortage of drugs in the region.
Meanwhile, residents have complained that whenever they visit the Suddie Public Hospital, they are told to purchase their medicine. They are hoping that the issue is resolved soon.
In providing an update on Friday, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh, told the Guyana Chronicle that the region has received some chronic disease medication which is currently being delivered to health centres on the Essequibo Coast and in the Pomeroon River.
He said the shortage of medicine was inherited from the previous government which had brought drugs in 2017 with “close” expiry dates. He said that in Region Two, over $25 million worth of expired drugs had to be destroyed.
In March, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, had disclosed that $3 billion worth of expired drugs had to be dumped by the Materials Management Unit (MMU) and several health facilities. As a result, the ministry has installed pharmaceutical monitors in each administrative region to prevent a recurrence and to reduce future shortages.