THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is making progress in addressing shortages in medical supplies and drugs across the country.
This follows the efforts of the MHMS Minister Dr Paul Popora Bosowai, who, has cleared 22 full containers and 14 partial containers of medical supplies at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority in early August after taking office only five months ago.
The clearance was made possible through his collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC), Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) and the Solomon Islands Ports Authority, which helped settle outstanding debts with shipping agents.
Dr Bosowai confirmed these actions in response to questions from Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale, in Parliament Monday.
He added that only six containers remain at the wharf and the ministry is currently working with relevant line ministries and shipping agents to have them cleared this week.
Dr Bosowai said, MHMS expects to receive an estimated total of 15 more containers by the end of the 2024 financial year.
Leader of the Independent Group, Peter Kenilorea Junior raised concerns about the recent notice from the National Referral Hospital, which prioritized critical cases for surgery due to shortage of anaesthetic drugs in the theatre.
In response, Dr Bosowai stated that before leaving for Vanuatu last week, he convened an urgent meeting with surgeons, instructing them to procure new supplies when stock levels drop to 40 percent in order to avoid such issues.
Explaining the distribution of medical supplies, Dr Bosowai said MHMS continues to follow the same process: drugs from the National Medical Store are shipped and flown to Area Health Centers, rural clinics and aid posts across the country.
However, due to the high costs of shipping freight, MHMS is considering procuring a dedicated ship to service remote areas more effectively.
In response to Wale’s query about preventing unauthorized removal of drugs from the National Medical Store, Dr Bosowai stated that one of the key initiatives within the MHMS’s 100-day plan is a comprehensive review and audit of the medical supply chain.
This review, which began in late August and continues into this month, is supported through technical assistance from the World Bank.
Additionally, MHMS has relocated all National Medical Store staff away from the main warehouses, tightened security protocols in restricted areas, and installed 24/7 surveillance.
Last week, CCTV systems were installed and there are plans to extend this to the National Referral Hospital in the near future.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
