North West patients with HIV/AIDS at risk after medicine shortage due to strike
Patients in the North West are being turned away empty-handed due to shortages of medicine as a result of an ongoing strike‚ according to Doctors Without Borders.The Stop Stock Outs Project (SSP) warned that several medicines and vaccines were already out of stock‚ and that additional emergency measures must be taken to avoid a complete shortage in the province.Patients with chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS risk health deterioration because of the strike by the National‚ Health Education and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu)."Immunisation of children below nine months of age has been cancelled in some clinics‚ due to insufficient supply. Patient reports of stock outs have led to SSP being able to confirm that at least five clinics have closed their gates. One subdistrict pharmacy provided a nine-page list of items at minimum or nonexistent stock levels‚ including ARVs‚" said Glenda Muzenda‚ SSP project manager."The situation is not under control‚ and further interim solutions are need...
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