MANY clinics in West Kwaio, Malaita Province have experienced a shortage on drugs and other medical supplies putting the lives of many rural dwellers at risk.
Local Doctor Joyce Lefoto’o said she witnessed this sad situation herself, during a recent trip to her home village in West Kwaio Constituency.
Due to the drug and medical supplies shortage, she said nurses have advised sick patients to return home and undergo home care or treat themselves with local remedies.
This is three weeks now since her visit to the village.
“When I went for my two weeks holiday, I can witness that there are mass shortage of drugs and medical supplies since the outbreak of COVID-19 in January,” she said.
She added from her own observation, she can foretell that the shortage of drugs and medical supplies is not only experienced in West Kwaio but the whole of Malaita Province.
Dr Joyce said other nurses from Clinics in Malaita have also raised similar sentiments.
During her visit to the village, a few sick patients were also treated at her home, with treatable infections like Malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia.
“It is just sad that nurses can no longer do anything at the Clinics, because there is a shortage of drugs and medical supplies to treat sick patients.
“To advice patients to return home and treat themselves with local remedies or herbs already contradicts the professional medical practices, which was advised by health professionals and institutions,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr Joyce calls on the Ministry of Health to address this huge health concern before things deteriorate in the future.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
