Serious concerns have been raised by medical workers in Gizo, Western Province over the deteriorating condition of the medical drug store which they claim is putting vital medicine supplies at risk of damage.
The building, constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic period around 2019–2020 by a contractor was intended to provide secure and safe storage for medical drugs and equipment.
The drug store is located close to the sea which is believed to have contributed to the roof’s rapid corrosion.
Because less than five years after its completion, the facility is already failing to serve its purpose.
According to hospital staff, the storage building has developed multiple leaks through the roofs which are showing signs of rust.
As a result, whenever it rains heavily, water seeps into the building and damages medicine supplies.
Some essential drugs, they said, have already been damaged or compromised due to exposure to damp conditions.
“This is a very serious issue because medicines are not just ordinary goods. If they are spoiled, it directly affects the lives of patients who need treatment,” one concerned health worker told the Solomon Star on Thursday.
“Medical drugs are supposed to be stored in proper facility that is not expose too much heat and rain. However, in this case, this is not appropriate as we observe,” a worker who wants to remain anonymous told Solomon Star.
The staff expressed, it was unacceptable for a building constructed so recently, and with significant investment, to fail so quickly.
They pointed out that the Western Provincial Health and Medical Services relies heavily on timely supply and proper storage of medicines to serve communities across the province.
The poor state of the facility is now creating fears of shortages and wastage, especially as demand for medical supplies continues to rise in the province.
“We need urgent intervention to fix this building before more medicines go to waste,” another health worker added, calling on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to step in and address the issue.”
The Pharmacy storage usually supplies medical drugs throughout the western region to area health facilities in Kolombangara, Simbo, Rannogah, Vella and Shortland islands.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
