Breaking: Zimbabwe runs out of drugs, Suspends surgeries at Harare hospital..

Zim stops medical operations as pharmaceutical drugs run out

There are no surgeries taking place at Harare Central Hospital, zwnews.com reveals.

A leaked internal memo shown below highlights the severity of the situation in Zimbabwe’s hospitals.

TO: ALL CONSULTANTS

CC: THE CLINICAL DIRECTOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PRINCIPAL NURSING OFFICER THEATRE MATRON BOARD CHAIRMAN – DR NDOWA

FROM: DR H.N. CHIFAMBA – HOD ANAESTHETICS

DATE: 16 SEPTEMBER 2016

RE: SUSPENSION OF ELECTIVE LISTS- DRUG SHORTAGES

Due to the critical shortages of Pethidine, Injectable Morphine, Fentanyl, Adrenaline, sizes 3.0, 3.5, 4.5, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 ETT, Metochlopramide, Sodium Bicarbonate and antibiotics, it was decided after consultation with the Clinical Director, Heads of Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Consultant Anaesthetists that we suspend all elective surgeries for the time being.

We will concentrate on Maternity, CEPOD Emergencies and ICU.

This is to allow the hospital to restock on these essential items. We will also use this opportunity to train nurses on the wards on the use of morphine and tramadol injection for post operative pain. These (morphine and tramadol) are going to be the backbone of post operative pain management henceforth.

The stocks situation will be reviewed in the middle of next week as the Administration, Finance Department and Pharmacy are making frantic efforts at restocking Pharmacy.