Unity of purpose key to solving medicines and staff shortages

Eugenia Madhidha
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

FOR a place to be deemed a health facility, there are things that are considered to be necessities such as human resources and medicinal drugs, among many others. However, we find so many health facilities in this country failing to meet these standards thereby being reduced to nothing but white elephants.
Recently, it was reported that Dar es Salaam municipal hospitals are facing serious shortages of medicines and medical staff such as nurses and doctors, something that cripples the operations of these health facilities, aggravating the suffering of the general public as they fail to provide quality services to patients.

The most saddening thing is that they continue singing the old song, blaming it on financial constraints as the major root of the problems.

According to the reports, Mwananyamala Municipal Hospital Medical Officer-In-Charge Zuhura Majapa, said that the hospital is currently facing shortage of doctors, nurses and they do not have sufficient medicines. On the other hand, the Amana Municipal Hospital Medical Officer-In-Charge told the media that the hospital is also facing shortage of doctors and nurses and the available specialists cannot efficiently serve the increasing number of patient.

The situation at these two major hospitals in Dar es Salaam, is a cancer affecting many other health facilities throughout the country. The problem of medicinal drugs shortages has been a cause for concern especially for many poor rural dwellers who cannot afford to buy them from pharmacies or those who live in remote areas where pharmacies are either too far away or nonexistent.

It is important to note that medicines are a vital component in a human’s body as they restore human health. Though they can be traced as far back as humanity, they go a long way in saving lives in a world full of dreaded diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, malaria and cholera and so on. It is unfortunate, however, that despite the existence of these medicines many people, especially in Tanzania succumb to diseases because of acute shortages of drugs.
The shortage of medicinal drugs has been prevailing for eons now and, with the look of things, no permanent solution is in sight for the problem as blame game is the order of the day. It is unfortunate that many citizens think that medical practitioners are to blame for the non availability of medicines at health centers. For example a Sikika (NGO that deals with health issues) volunteer who identified himself as Redemptus came across some patients who were complaining about the non availability of medicines at Kafuma health facility and he had to help the doctor-in-charge to explain to angry patients the procedures and steps taken until medicines are delivered to health facilities.
In most cases, when confronted by patients who will be eager to know the reasons for the shortages, medical practitioners shift the blame on the MSD for not supplying the medicines while on the other hand the MSD blames both the government, for owing them money, a move that cripples their operations and the medical practitioners in health centers for misusing the medicines by selling them in private pharmacies.
On the other hand, the government blames both the MSD and health officials for the problem. The blame game is in most cases counterproductive as the root cause of the problem remains unaddressed.
Citizens, therefore, should not be vilified when they complain about the problems they come across whenever they visit health facilities. It remains true that some have lost trust in these health centres as they are either forced to spend long hours waiting to be served because of lack of medical staff or are forced to fork out their hard earned cash to buy medicines from pharmacies. This seems to have cultivated a dangerous practice where some people don't seek medical treatment, hoping that the diseases will complete their cycle and they will be healed naturally.
According to the speech by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare when he was presenting ministry budget for FY 2010/11 in the parliament on 28th June 2010 an amount of Tsh 61.6 billion was allocated for buying of drugs and supplies( vifatiba na vitendanishi katika Zahanati, vituo vya afya na hospitali za umma) and Tsh 287 billion for buying and distribution of HIV and malaria drugs around the country . But, what is surprising is that health facilities throughout the country continue facing medicinal drugs shortages despite a huge amount being reserved to address the problem.
And, with the look of things, it seems no solution is in sight for the problem and this disadvantages the ordinary person on the street. It is, therefore, important to note that it remains the responsibility of the MSD, government and the medical practitioners to make sure that medicines reach the intended target. This, however, can only be done if each one of these responsible authorities do their job diligently and stop pointing fingers at each other.
On the other hand, it is important for the powers that be to address the perennial shortage of medical staff. Much noise has been made about it while less action seems to have been taken to address it.
This, therefore, means that there is need for concerted effort to end these social anomalies to not only make life easier for ordinary citizens but also save lives.
Ends

Fare ye well Chakanetsa Chidyamatiyo

By Simbarashe Msasanuri

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

A quarrel between two first year students at the Midlands State University in the Media and Society Studies August Intake class, ten years ago, could have been disastrous for two aspiring journalists had it degenerated into a fist fight as it could have signaled the end of their dreams. According to the regulations of the institution, outright expulsion was the price paid by those who traded books for fists.

However, the maturity shown by one of the students in trying to prevent the situation from getting out of hand saved the day. Had he reacted in a manner that any other ordinary person could have done, we could have been talking of a different story today.

We were all new during that time and we hardily knew each other but, the traits revealed by this guy showed that he was destined for greatness. It didn't take me another day to know the name of the person I am talking about, who was none other than Chakanetsa Chidyamatiyo. A guy who rose to greater heights in the journalism fraternity but whose ambitions were cut abruptly after a horrific car crash claimed his life last week.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I stumbled upon a message on Facebook that journalist Chakanetsa Chidyamatiyo had been killed in a road accident the previous night. But, after a series of enquiries, reality dawned on me that one of the 39- media moguls was no more. I knew that part of the journeys of our lives we had travelled together had come to an end. A common Shona saying that munhu akanaka haararami rightly applies to Chaka whose existence on this earth was restricted to 30years. A journey he had started when when Mr and Mrs Chidyamatiyo were blessed with a baby boy in Mazowe and decided to name him Chakanetsa.

With a bleeding heart, I had no choice but to thank God for the few years that we had spent together, the years that shaped our lives and destinies. A life that started at MSU where the drama I mentioned earlier on occurred.

When I witnessed that incident in 2000, I personally admired him for he was not only slow to anger but had shown everyone that he could coexist with his fellow students without a problem. It wasn’t surprising, therefore, that we ended up befriending each other. A friendship that was cemented by the fact that the August intake was more of a family due to the vilification we were getting from other sectors of the institution because the group was full of extraordinary talent.

I still vividly remember the days we spent together, joked together and helped each other to tackle tough assignments at college. We used to walk the then narrow strip from Senga to the campus and back as you,Chaka, used to live a stone’s throw away from where I lived. We were more like a family then together with your roommates, Innocent Chiyadzwa and Samuel Mujaka.

The days when we used to survive on green vegetables after our payouts (VTL) ran out or the powers that be would, due to one reason or the other, have delayed the disbursement. Those days, we used to sleep late writing assignments or doing group discussions in preparation for the final exams. How we braved the chilly Gweru weather in winter and excessive heat in summer at the famous Hunger Square studying, something that became a launch pad to the profession we loved and were passionate about.

During all that time, you showed that you were a team player as you were always available every time other students needed your input. You were also enterprising, something that was aided by your sociability as in some cases you could use all that to get some materials especially from students who were in classes ahead of us.

These qualities helped you to fit into this thankless profession that went on to claim your life. Eulogies on your Facebook profile show that you were a man of the people. Scores of people among them journalists did not hide their utter disbelief and grief over your departure.

You were willing to share your knowledge with your juniors and your colleagues, some of whom sounded their appreciation (on Facebook) especially on how you shaped their careers by guiding them. It also emerged that you were still having all the other qualities of being a team player, always willing to share information and of being an enterprising man.

These are the same traits that helped you to make a name for yourself in this profession, in 2002, when you joined The Herald for your industrial attachment. I remember being proud of you then especially when I came across your by-lined stories. It was obvious by then that you were destined for greater heights.

After graduation, uncertainty engulfed us as reality had struck in our theory laden heads that time for group discussions were over and what was only left was for us to put into practice what we had acquired for four years. Little did we know that our journeys were once again to collide as we found ourselves working together at The Daily Mirror in 2005 and 2006.

Your departure to rejoin The Herald on June 1, 2006, when you were appointed the paper's Mashonaland Central bureau chief, based in Bindura never came as a surprise to me given what you were capable of doing, not mentioning what you had accomplished. Though we continued to communicate during that time, I didn’t know that destiny had it that were going to work together again, when I joined The Herald exactly a year after you had left The Daily Mirror.

Though you were based in Bindura, you really showed that you were a journalist par-excellence. You continued to show the world what you were made of. I still remember those juicy stories from Mashonaland Central and every time I worked on them or came across them in the newspaper, I could feel that sense of belonging, as if I had played a part in them because they reminded me of a fellow cde, a friend who had his work at heart.

Chaka as we used to call you at college or Chidya as you were affectionately known by fellow journalists in the industry were a down to earth person, a team worker, an outstanding journalist, well respected for your informed analysis.

We had to part again when I left The Herald but we continued communicating especially on Facebook. My heart goes to your family, especially your little kids you loved so much. The ones you struggled for unto death. I remember we had a long conversation recently when you told me to check the prices of some commodities this side. Those you wanted to use to prepare for the future of these beloved angels.

I remember checking the prices, and I advised you to try down south (South Africa) as their prices this side, were beyond reach. This conversation, where we promised each other that we will meet in December and try to map the way forward, became the last. Little did we know that we were building castles in the air.

I couldn’t be there when you were laid to rest last Friday, but from what I heard and from the scores of people who came to bid you farewell, you had won the hearts of the people. The people who loved you even unto death

Fare ye well Chaka, you fought a good fight and you walked your journey on this earth leaving indelible marks in our hearts. You will sadly be missed media mogul. May your soul rest in eternal peace Chaka. Famba murugare Chidya, till we meet again.

simsasanuri@yahoo.com