The Chronic Drug Shortage

By Henry Kachaje

My experience is that sometimes when you are well taken care of as a manager you kinda ignore the plight of those less privileged. But this need not be the case, we can change and become more human.

It is obviously a challenge for those in leadership to think empathetically for the poor sick because their personal health services are outside this country. Why should they bother about prioritising medical supplies in government hospitals in Malawi when they can be air-lifted to South Africa anytime they have a flu?

Indeed, why should they care if their families are on VIP medical care? Even when they die whilst in office, their dead bodies can still be air-lifted to South Africa to receive first class embalming services.

But I believe this can change and must change. I believe there are still some leaders with a human heart. I believe we can hold any elected leader responsible to do what we employ them to do. It is our moral responsibility to speak for the voiceless, for the poor, the oppressed.

Together we can create a better Malawi for all. People need not die from common preventable diseases. Let us not get used to preventable deaths because doing so is satanic. The Son came that we might have an abundant life and not so many preventable premature deaths.

About 3 years ago Kamuzu Central Hospital (the largest referral hospital in Malawi) had a monthly budget funding of about K100m. Now it is operating on a monthly allocation of K26m!

What has changed? Do we now have less patients? Has the Kwacha appreciated? Has the government found cheaper sources of medical supplies? Or we simply don't care who dies?

People, we must all care and be very concerned. Today you are in good health and you think this is none of your business but some day you will need the services of Kamuzu Central Hospital. If you don't believe me ask the late Bingu.