Question NW1501 to the Minister of Health
02 June 2023 - NW1501
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department has taken steps to rectify the shortcomings that were experienced during the hard lockdown of the pandemic such as the distribution and backlogs of medication to date; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has found that patients living with HIV and AIDS receive their medication on time; if not, what are the reasons that the challenge of patients who do not receive their medication on time is still a persisting issue; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no backlogs in the distribution of medication. Additionally, there have been no major supply chain challenges related to the essential medicines during the pandemic period.
2. During the pandemic period, patients on chronic therapy, including patients on antiretorvirals, received at least two months’ supply of the medication in an effort to reduce pressure on facilities. Additionally, patients received medicines via the CCMDD programme.
END.