VARESE Nurse Aid Post Clinic in Southeast Vella La Vella, Western Province has experienced shortage in basic medical essential items and medical drugs.
These basic medical drugs include: Panadol, Aspirin, Amoxicillin and anti-malaria medical drugs.
Varese Nurse Aid, Ken Norton has revealed this drug dilemma to Solomon Star in an interview on Thursday at Varese Nurse Aid Post Clinic.
“Medical drugs that are now shortage at this clinic are Panadol, Aspirin, Amoxicillin, Coartem for malaria but I really need Coartem for Malaria,” Norton told the Solomon Star.
Varese clinic has experienced these essential drugs shortage since last year (2023) and it really affects patients who really need these medicines for medical healing.
Norton revealed to Solomon Star that he usually collects medical drugs from Gizo Medical store when stock at Varese clinic runs low.
However, the availability of drugs from Gizo depends on the National Medical Store in Honiara.
“What is available at the National Medical store in Honiara, they will send to Gizo Medical Store and what is available at Gizo Medical store all the clinics surrounding Gizo including Varese will go and collect them,” he said.
Since medical drug is now in short supply at the Gizo Medical store they often distribute a little bit for each clinic in Western Province.
“Medical drugs that I collected, I use them wisely.
“I give tablets and injections to those who really need it because some people just come and ask for medicine.
“I don’t give those people who come and ask for medicine because drugs are limited,” he said.
Norton will use the drugs he collected for only two months before he goes back to Gizo to collect new drugs and also place new order for another two months.
“I usually collect medical drugs every two months, after collecting medical drugs; I usually place another order for our clinics for two months.”
However, the drugs normally run out before the two months lapse because of the high demand of medical drug at the clinic.
“So, when I collect the medical drugs I will need to ration them so that they can reach two months period,” Norton added.
Norton received 20 patients (in estimate) daily at the Varese Nurse Aid Post Clinic.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays are the peak time for patients to visit the clinic because it is time for children, pregnant women and also outpatient to check at the clinic.”
Norton has experienced the pressure of sick people demanding medical drugs but they are not available at the clinic.
When there is no medicinal drugs available at the clinic he often send them back home to do homecare and drink a lot of water.
“When there is no drugs I will just send people back home and advice them to drink plenty of water and try to prevent sickness because there is no medical drugs at the clinic.
“I advise people to stay healthy and take care of themselves,” Norton said.
With this drug shortage hit hard on the rural clinic, Norton calls on National Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) to quickly sort this drug shortage out because they are dealing with sick people who really need healing from their sicknesses.
“I call on responsible authorities to quickly sort out the drug shortage that currently happening in the country because we deal with sick people.
“Government must do its best so that the drug supplies can come back to normal especially for Malaria medicine.
“I want the minister for health to push hard so that all clinics including Nurse Post Aid can have enough medicine and essential items for all patients and clinics,” he said.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Gizo
