Diabetes Association of Malawi says decentralisation of diabetes and hypertension treatment into health centres will remain futile if people fail to access medication in these clinics.
The sentiments come as congestion problem at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital’s (QECH) diabetes department continues despite government’s move to have the patients accessing medication in health centres.
President of Diabetes Association of Malawi, Timothy Mtambalika, said the number of people with diabetes seeking medical attention at QECH is increasing as there are no syringes and other drugs in the health centres.
Mtambalika said there have been complaints from people that they are often sent back since they cannot access medical services from health centres.
“The condition is becoming worrisome because when government assured us that the decentralisation process will deal with the problem of congestion we were comforted knowing that our operations will improve. I have tried consulting officials in the ministry but the response I get is that there is enough stock at the Central Medical Stores yet we do not have them in the hospitals,” said Mtambalika.
One diabetes patient, Frank Chadzala, stated that they are facing a lot of challenges in accessing medication.
“Some of us need syringes and insulin to inject ourselves at home but we are failing to get these in health centres but every time we visit we are told they do not have [medicine] hence our coming here,” said Chadzala.
However spokesperson in the ministry of health, Adrian Chikumbe said Central Medical Stores has alternative drugs for diabetics which are ready to be distributed in clinics that are lacking. He admitted that syringes are not adequate enough.
“Other hospitals have the drugs like Chiradzulu hospital so we share if we learn that others do not have. I will find out more from medical stores on the matter,” said Chikumbe.
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