SOPs have been developed and are being followed for procurement of medicines and equipment – Health Minister

Minister for Health Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says standard operating procedures have been developed and are being followed for procurement of medicines and equipment however National Federation Party MP Lenora Qereqeretabua says a delay and shortages in the delivery of drugs anytime shows the lack of commitment by the Ministry of Health or the lack of money coming from the Ministry of Economy.

Doctor Waqainabete says the technical people are part of the procurement process providing guidance on what is actually useful for them.

He says most of the things picked up by the Auditor General's Reports has been picked up by the team and has been worked on.

Doctor Waqainabete adds that the risks involved in the procurement process have been mitigated by including it in the planning process.

He says procurement process is now guided by the National Biomedical Equipment and Clinical Services Network.

While making her contribution to the motion tabled by Alvick Maharaj in Parliament on the ‘Review of Audit Report on the Procurement of Biomedical Equipment – Ministry of Health & Medical Services and the Audit of Rural Postal Offices Quarterly Returns, Qereqeretabua says the question of procurement of medicine and diagnostic equipment is important because the country’s health services are facing the challenges of COVID-19.

She questioned the Minister for Health as to why patients are being told to buy essential medicines from private pharmacies and why the list of 500 essential drugs has not been expanded.

The NFP MP says while doctors and nurses in the country have to deal with the pandemic, they must also have the resources to look after the health of a thousand more vulnerable people who are already in poor health.

She adds the pandemic is affecting the basic health and medical care of a person, their productivity, employment, the ability to get a meaningful education and earn a decent income to put food on the table for their families.

Qereqeretabua says this week's parliament sitting should be focused on the assistance for our people and not on the reports tabled in 2013 or 2014.