AS the financial dilemma facing the country deepens, the National Referral Hospital in Honiara and health facilities nationwide are severely affected by an acute shortage of essential drugs.
Reports reaching Solomon Star claim drugs and IV fluid that can help in treating those experiencing food poisoning are out of stock at NRH.
A medical staff at the country’s top hospital confirmed the situation early this week when trying to treat someone for food poisoning.
In an advisory, the registered nurse advised members of the public, friends and families to take care of their health in light of the acute shortage of essential drugs.
“Watch what you eat because our health may soon be compromised because on Tuesday a person turned up at the NRH triage with food poisoning.
“I was helpless to help as there was no fluid for resuscitation and no medicine injection to counteract it.”
The nursing could not do anything to help except inform the sick patient to buy a bottle of mineral water and drink as much as possible.
“Because at the moment, we do not have fluids or injection medication for your problem (food poisoning). And he did so reluctantly. But that was the best I could do and luckily, he was fine after a few hours.
“So, my family and friends please, please look after yourself because we are in uncertain times, uncharted waters. But we can only pray for miracle to happen to save our only hospital,” the nurse said.
It is understood that all medical services nationwide have been negatively impacted by the lack of funding support from the national government.
Apart from the acute drug shortage in health facilities nationwide, the Gizo Hospital is also struggling to provide daily meals sick patients due to a delay in the release of grants by the Ministry of Finance & Treasury.
As a result, appeals continue to be issued to nearby communities to provide food for the hospital to feed patients.
By MOFFAT MAMU
