Shock and grief befell on patients as most of Uganda hospitals faces a shortage of tuberculosis drugs, an insider in Uganda’s ministry of health told our news informers today.
The monitoring and evaluation officer with Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS Uganda) also says that the shortage of tuberculosis drugs has lasted for the last four months.
The doctors at Mulago hospital told us that they realise the shortage but there is little they can do about the problem unless the ministry of health and the government comes in.
A source names some of the health centres and hospitals that have run out of tuberculosis drugs as Jinja Hospital, Walukuba health centre IV, Entebbe Hospital, Makerere University Hospital, Mbarara Teaching Hospital, Gulu Regional referral Hospital, Lalogi health centre IV and Nsawo health centre IV among others.
The Executive Director of Gulu Regional Hospital, Dr. Nathan Onyaci confirmed the shortage of tuberculosis drugs in Gulu and said many patients were lacking treatment due to the shortage.
The lead pharmacist in Jinja Hospital, John Kizito also confirms that there has been a delay in the distribution of tuberculosis drugs.
The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Asuman Lukwago also confirmed the shortage and added that the National Drug Stores is doing whatever is possible to restock the drugs. Some of the drugs needed in the treatment of TB are Ethambitol, Isoniazial, Rifampicin and Pyranamide.