The Health Ministry has announced a temporary shortage of Benzathine Penicillin, a crucial antibiotic for treating Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa confirmed that the Government Pharmacy currently has limited stock, with a new shipment expected to arrive next week.
Ravunawa explained that the ongoing supply challenges are reflective of a larger global situation impacting medication availability. He reassured the public that the ministry is prioritizing regions with significant needs, emphasizing, “It’s good that we have limited stock at the moment, and we are prioritizing into areas where there is a critical need to replenish the medication for RHD patients.”
To alleviate the effects of the shortage, Erum Samreen, the head of Raiwaqa Health Centre, reported that health staff are actively reaching out to patients who may have missed their appointments for injections. In parallel, Erini Tokarua, Program Manager of the Heart Heroes Program, is encouraging patients to seek care at alternative healthcare facilities when necessary to ensure they do not miss their essential doses.
Health officials stress the importance of receiving timely doses to prevent severe complications related to heart diseases. Their commitment to ensuring that patients have access to the treatments they require, along with proactive outreach efforts, could help mitigate the consequences of this shortage. The collaborative approach being taken illustrates a community-focused response to health challenges, reinforcing the resilience of the healthcare system in the face of supply chain issues.