The Fiji Medical Association has raised alarm over the increasing scarcity of essential and critical medications in public hospitals across Fiji. Association president, Dr. Alipate Vakamocea, urged the government to take immediate action to remedy the situation.
Dr. Vakamocea specifically highlighted that reagents necessary for performing full blood counts are running dangerously low throughout the Ministry of Health. This shortage poses a significant risk, as it restricts doctors’ abilities to accurately diagnose and monitor health conditions in patients.
A complete blood count is an essential test often included in routine health assessments and is crucial for monitoring various health issues such as infections, anemia, immune system disorders, and certain types of blood cancers.
To address the ongoing challenges, Dr. Vakamocea has called for a comprehensive re-evaluation of procedures at the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS), the entity that manages both medications and biomedical equipment, which are also experiencing critical shortages.
Dr. Luke Nasedra, medical superintendent at CWM Hospital, confirmed the laboratory’s shortage of reagents and attributed it to procurement delays at FPBS. He noted that the hospital’s laboratory team is actively working with FPBS to identify and resolve the issue without it becoming a supply chain crisis. In the interim, they have put measures in place to redirect testing to other ministry laboratories and private labs that meet quality assurance standards, thereby ensuring that patient care remains a priority.
Despite these difficulties, the hospitals are managing to keep the flow of patient care steady through alternative testing methods. However, this situation is likely to reverberate throughout other facilities that typically send patients to CWM Hospital for testing, potentially leading to delays in accessing necessary healthcare.
While the situation appears challenging, it presents an opportunity for the government and relevant agencies to come together and strengthen their pharmaceutical logistics and supply chain systems. Engaging in this proactive approach could ultimately enhance the delivery of healthcare services in Fiji.
This article highlights a crucial issue facing the healthcare system, reminding us of the importance of robust medical supply chains. Moving forward, a renewed collaboration could pave the way for improvements that will bolster patient care and medical preparedness in the future.
Leave a comment