The provincial spokesperson, Keletso Ratlhagane, says there were media reports that suggested the unavailability of medication at most facilities for patients on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, tuberculosis (TB) treatment and family planning. She adds that the reports came out after the release of the Second Edition of the Ritshidze report which was recently published. Ritshidze is a community-led clinic monitoring system developed by several HIV-related organisations, like the Treatment Action Campaign, Positive Action Campaign, and Positive Women’s Network, among others.

Ratlhagane says the department has made rather significant strides in addressing the shortages of medicine stock in public health facilities.

According to Ratlhagane, the overall provincial medicine availability reached 81% as per the national essential list in the 3rd quarter of 2021/22, and the availability of ARVs and vaccines for the Extended Programme on Immunisation has been maintained above 92%, while TB medicines are above 82%.

“The Department will experience shortages of specific items from time to time when there is a national problem with that specific medicine. However, information regarding a departmental process of lodging general complaints is available at various health facilities. Through this process, persons who experience medicine shortages can escalate their challenges should they believe they do not get cooperation from the health facilities they are visiting,” said Ratlhagane.

She further said that the department has developed a system to track medicine availability in the province. Ratlhagane says the system allows for stock to be transferred between facilities depending on the individual needs of each facility.

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