POLOKWANE – Patients who have to receive their chronic medication at Rethabile Clinic claim that the clinic is running low on its supply of medication.
In 2013 the clinic and Pietersburg Provincial Hospital had a medication shortage due to a lack of funds and the result was that patients who received their chronic medication from these health institutions did not get all their medication and had to buy it privately.
Patients who suffer from high blood pressure explained to Review that the clinic did not have the medication available that they usually used.
“When I collected my tablets last month, the sister told me that they did not have the medication that the doctor prescribed and that I usually use, but they gave me pills that are similar to the ones I am used to. I told the sister that I am not comfortable using another brand and she told me I could either take the medication available or buy my regular brand of medication from a pharmacy,” a patient said.
Another patient claimed that the clinic did not have medication for patients with prostate problems.
“I suffer from high blood pressure and I had severe pain around my waist. I also found it difficult to urinate. I went to the clinic and they ran a few tests. My tests results showed that my prostate was enlarged. I have to go back for further tests in August, and in the meanwhile the doctor prescribed Cardura.
“This medication is supposed to help with my blood pressure and urination, but the clinic did not have it in stock. The sister told me that the clinic had not had it in stock for more than six months and suggested that I buy it from the nearest pharmacy. I am a pensioner and cannot afford to buy the medication.”
According to www.drugs.com, Cardura is used to treat high blood pressure, or to improve urination in men with an enlarged prostate.
Cardura relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Health spokesperson, Macks Lesufi, denied there was a shortage of medication at Rethabile Clinic.
“We don’t use brand names for medication but we dispense generic medication in our primary health care facilities,” he said.
He further pointed out that all prostrate-related conditions were treated at level-two and -three health institutions, not at primary healthcare level.
“The department has enough funding for all the medical supplies needed at our facilities,” he added.
Lesufi said it should be noted that they could not re-prescribe treatment that was originally prescribed by a private medical practitioner.
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