Clinics fail to supply crucial vaccines

Concerned mothers in the city pointed fingers at the Department of Health this week for its alleged failure to procure and make available crucial drugs to hospitals in Polokwane and surrounds.
Polokwane Observer was on Tuesday informed by a source that a certain parent was on several occasions allegedly told by medical experts at Rethabile Clinic that there were no injections for rotavirus. The source claims that her grandson was born prematurely hence he needs the injection in order to get strong and survive. The grandmother, who wished to remain anonymous in fear of victimisation, said the drug cost her family at least R1 000 in private health facilities which they were unable to afford. Rotavirus, it was learnt, is the most common cause of diarrhoeal disease in infants and young children. Its symptoms are a watery diarrhoea, vomiting and fever which can cause a loss of body fluids and lead to dehydration.
“We visited the clinic three weeks ago and early last week with hopes of getting the right injection for rotavirus but we were disappointed when we were told that there was no stock. All we request is for the department to ensure that hospitals and clinics are provided with crucial drugs to save lives,” the grandmother stressed.
The source went on to allege that her friend cannot get the 14-weeks immunisation for her child at Seshego Hospital or the Buite Street Clinic. This injection helps protect children from hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, haemophilus influenza type B and polio.
Departmental Spokesperson Neil Shikwambana refuted the allegations as he indicated that vaccines have been procured and sufficient stock was received, allocated and distributed to health facilities three weeks ago. He further emphasised that their Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) manager is working with facilities to move stock around to ensure all clients are attended to.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za