Mpumalanga health blames national department for ARV shortages
The Department of Health in Mpumalanga has refuted claims that patients have not been able to get hold of antiretroviral (ARV) medication for four months at Msogwaba Clinic.
This follows complaints by parents in Msogwaba who are upset at the lack of ARVs.
The department’s Mamsi Masubi says the shortage of certain ARVs is a countrywide problem.
"The community is having a version that we are having a stock out of ARVs. It’s not all ARVs, it's certain ARVs. Ninety percent of our patients are on the first line and 10% is on the second line.
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"Where we are having a challenge is the second line, but I can assure that we never run dry or have a drug stock out. What we have is shortage."
Masubi says the national department has been supplying to few ARVs which have to be divided into equal proportions for every medical facility.
"Currently we cannot take this is a crisis, we cannot say we have a drug stock out."
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