Ndola Residents Complain Of Insufficient ARVs

Ndola’s Chifubu, Masala and Lubuto residents have complained of insufficient Anti-Retroviral and other essential drugs at various clinics in their areas.
But Copperbelt medical officer Dr Consity Mwale has dismissed the claims, saying Ndola district public health facilities have adequate stocks of essential drugs except for Chipokota Mayamba which ran out of amoxyl over the weekend.
He also said all clinics in Ndola were stocked with all medicines including ARVs.
In an interview yesterday, Chifubu residents complained that nurses were turning them away because the clinic did not have ARVs in stock.
“Nurses have been telling us to go to other clinics because the clinic doesn’t have ARVs. This is not the first time this is happening,” said a concerned resident.
A check at Lubuto clinic, which has been hit the most, found most drugs in the pharmacy had run out and patients were being given prescriptions to buy drugs from the chemist.
One of the nurses said Lubuto clinic did not receive any medicine last month and that officers from the Ndola District Health Management had supplied most clinics with ARVs that they got from Kansenshi Prisons.
“It is true we don’t have essential medicines in most clinics. Last week, some officers from Ndola District Health Management went to get some ARVs from Kansenshi Prisons because drugs don’t run out there. Last month medical stores did not supply us with medicine. The situation is alarming and if nothing is done by next week, most people will be affected,” said the nurse.
But Dr Mwale said the district is scheduled to receive assorted drugs from Medical Stores Limited next week.
“Ndola district public health facilities have adequate stocks of essential drugs except for Chipokota Mayamba which ran out of amoxyl over the weekend. By yesterday (Wednesday), the clinic had placed an order to the district pharmacy for the supply of amoxyl, which has since been supplied. Masala, Chifubu and Lubuto are densely populated areas and therefore consume more drugs than other centres,” he explained.