The suspect that corrupt hospital officials could be diverting the drugs, tenofavir, nevirapine and Cotrimoxazole, to the black market as they had lately become hard to find.
Several patients told The Zimbabwean that they raised the concern with the National Aid Council but were told that hospitals and clinics had enough stocks.
Angela Jambo (45) from Chitungwiza said: “In March, there was a shortage of drugs at St Mary’ Clinic and we were told to go to Chitungwiza Hospital. But they referred us back to St Mary’s Clinic, saying the clinic had enough stocks.
“After this, we engaged the National AIDS Council and they told us that reports of a shortage of medication were not true. What worries us is the fact that this medication has of late been flooding the black market and we wonder where the people selling those drugs are getting them from.”
Jambo added that as a result of the shortage, patients were getting a supply of only two to three days and have to make regular visits to the clinic.
“We are supposed to get a supply of two to three months but right now, we are being given a supply of two to three days and this has inconvenienced a lot of people,” said Jambo.
Sphiwe Ndlovu (49) from Hatfield, said: “Right now at Hatfield Clinic, we are being told that there is no cotrimoxazole but if you go to the black market, you will find it there. My suspicion is that some of the nurses and doctors might actually be the ones behind this black market because where else could the drugs be coming from?”
She added: “Sometime we are given cotrimoxazole that is meant for infants because the hospital officials tell us that due to the shortage of drugs, that is all they can afford.”
NAC Communications Director, Madeline Dube, however said reports of a shortage of drugs were incorrect.
“We have been procuring enough drugs and as far as we are concerned, there is no shortage at all. Maybe there could be some logistical challenges here and there but we are not aware of any shortages,” said Dube.
Post published in: News