The Ministry of Health and Social Services has distributed essential medicines, including cancer treatments and HIV test kits, to public health facilities countrywide.
In a public update executive director of health and social services Penda Ithindi issued yesterday, he says 47 major items of critically needed pharmaceutical products were received and distributed between 4 and 17 June.
The deliveries consist of 27 medicine items and 20 clinical items.
“These deliveries form part of ongoing efforts to replenish stock levels and improve the availability of essential medicines and clinical supplies across public health facilities countrywide,” Ithindi says.
Among the products received were HIV colloidal test kits, adult tuberculosis combination tablets, acyclovir tablets, paracetamol syrup, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, oxytocin injections, iron syrup and vitamin supplements.
The ministry also reports receiving several anti-cancer medicines.
“Most importantly, recent deliveries included multiple anti-cancer medicines to support the treatment and management of cancer patients.
Additional deliveries of essential medicines are expected in the coming weeks,” it says.
The anti-cancer medicines received include hydroxyurea capsules, gemcitabine injections, irinotecan injections, cytarabine injections, filgrastim injections, rituximab injections and fluorouracil injections.
The ministry says it remains focused on restoring the availability of essential medicines and health commodities in public health facilities.
Ithindi says the ministry will continue monitoring medicine availability and work with stakeholders, manufacturers and distributors to address remaining stock shortages.
