BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Department of Health has confirmed that interventions are in place to address medication availability at several health facilities. This follows complaints by patients after not receiving essential medications for chronic treatment at primary healthcare facilities in recent weeks.
They further raised grave concern, noting significant and persistent shortages in the supply of medications leading to critical situations in hospitals and clinics.
BloemExpress was flooded with complaints from patients either being returned without receiving medication or receiving only a portion of essential medication. These were received from patients within the Mangaung Metro and as far afield as Qwaqwa in the Eastern Free State.
Numerous women lamented their frustration of not receiving contraceptive pills for family planning at the Namahadi and Kagisanong clinics in Qwaqwa and Bloemfontein, respectively. Two women, identified as Keabetswe and Reshoketswe, said the frustration of not receiving an explanation at the respective clinics compelled them to go public and turn to the media.
Mondli Mvambi, provincial spokesperson for the department, has conceded medication availability remains a challenge across the health sector due to supplier constraints and delivery delays, noting prohibition notices owing to non-compliance with health and safety regulations in the workplace further compounded the department’s ability to supply medication.
The Department of Labour in the Free State has issued several prohibition notices, compelling closure of essential venues, including the Medical Depot in Bloemfontein owing to non-compliance with health and safety regulations.
“These prohibition notices constrained receipt and delivery of orders to facilities. Currently the department is in the process of getting the appointed contractor to fix the defects in the ceiling,” said Mvambi.
He said to mitigate the negative effects of these delays, the health facilities were enabled to place direct orders with suppliers when necessary.
“In this case, emergency orders were issued, and the clinic’s stock was delivered to many health facilities across the province to ensure continuity of care, particularly for patients on chronic medication.
“The department also continuously encourages patients on chronic medication to enrol in the Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme.
“This is a department initiative aimed at improving access to chronic medication for stable patients,” said Mvambi.
He said through this programme, qualifying patients are enrolled to receive their chronic medicines from alternative pick-up points such as community pharmacies, designated clinics, or other approved collection sites, rather than hospital facilities.
“This helps reduce congestion at health facilities, shortens waiting times, and ensures continuity of care. Patients are clinically assessed and must meet specific criteria before being enrolled in the programme.
“Once enrolled, their medication is pre-packaged and delivered to their selected collection point on a regular schedule,” said Mvambi.
He added that health facilities were in direct contact with the Medical Depot to ensure early interventions to alleviate bottlenecks.
“In addition, medication distribution hubs are created in the five districts to mitigate against any shortages of medication,” said Mvambi.
