SCORES of people suffering from chronic illnesses,
especially diabetes, have been struggling to access medication due to worldwide
Covid-19-induced lockdowns which have affected transportation of medicines.
HIV, high blood pressure and kidney patients have also been
affected by essential medicine shortages or astronomic costs where available.
People suffering from diabetes are struggling to access
blood glucose test strips which are used to check if one’s sugar level is still
within an acceptable range.
Under normal circumstances, diabetics should use the strips
at least twice per day to avoid the risk of developing complications.
Diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease in Zimbabwe that
occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the
body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing
cardiovascular disease which is a major cause of death and disability in people
with diabetes, and a barrier to sustainable development.
According to the World Health Organisation, diabetes is a
major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb
amputation.
Managing it, monitoring sugar levels and taking medication
regularly are among the most trusted ways of managing the disease and avoiding
complications.
In a survey, Chronicle discovered that most local
pharmacies were in short supply of test strips and insulin.
The test strips cost about US$1 for two, Metformin and
Glibenclamide insulin injections cost up to $12 000 for a month’s supply.
One of the affected patients, Ms Fungai Nkomo, said she was
in great need of the strips as her glucose levels fluctuate daily leading to
her passing out.
“I cannot live without those strips as I need to keep
controlling my glucose level. I must check the levels after every meal and when
I do not, sometimes I feel my whole body shutting down,” she said.
“I went to every possible pharmacy in Bulawayo and they all
said then strips were in short supply adding that they were struggling to
ensure insulin is available. I also failed to get some of my tablets as
pharmacists said there was a nationwide shortage,” she added.
For Mr Muzi Mathema, the challenge is not only the
shortages but the high prices which made it difficult for him to adhere to
medication.
“I am forced to spend more than $15 000 on medication just
for me and my wife and both of us are retired; we literally depend on our
children for survival. We are in desperate need of the medication and the
strips because developing complications will be pricier as we can no longer
afford health care in hospitals,” he said.
“We wish there was a way we could access these without struggling
so much. We are surely in a dilemma.”
Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe president Mr Portifa
Mwendera confirmed the nationwide shortages adding that people with
hypertension and kidney disease were also affected.
He said the shortages were due to the Covid-19 outbreak
which affected the importation of drugs and other materials used in the
production of local drugs.
“Our pharmaceutical industry is more than 90 percent
dependent on imports and we have been struggling ever since Covid-19 started.
The situation is worse for those with chronic ailments as we rely 100 percent
on imports and since there are limited flights coming in, the situation has
been dire,” said Mr Mwendera.
He said part of their challenge was the availability of
forex to order medication and other consumables from abroad.
“The situation is further worsened by forex transactions
because we do not get as much forex as we need which means more time is needed
to get the meds. However, over the past few weeks we have been seeing some
countries like South Africa, China, South Korea and the United Kingdom relax
their lockdown conditions which may ease the situation,” he said.
According to Mr Mwendera, orders were now taking at least
four weeks to arrive in Zimbabwe which was better than when Covid-19 had just
begun.
Dr Anele Bhebhe from Mpilo Central Hospital said it was
dangerous for diabetic patients to skip medication or fail to access the strips
as that leads to long term complications.
“High glucose levels affect the central nervous system, the
heart, kidneys and some people become blind and may develop infections which
may lead to amputations. We have two groups of patients that survive on insulin
and patients that survive by taking medication,” said Dr Bhebhe.
“Those who use insulin are usually 30 years and below while
the elderly do well with pills but with time, they may require insulin. It is
strongly advisable that diabetic patients take their medication so that they
avoid developing chronic kidney failure, heart diseases, loss of eye sight and
even an impaired immune system.”
The Community Working Group on Health director Mr Itai
Rusike said diabetes is very expensive to manage and called for improved
domestic health financing in order to address new challenges such as the rising
cases of non-communicable diseases.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) is facing
serious challenges of diagnostics and continuity of care across all
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including diabetes. Zimbabwe is currently the
only country which hasn’t quantified the disease burden and therefore cannot
address the management of NCDs holistically,” said Mr Rusike. “There’s need to
carry out a rapid assessment of all services by MOHCC to get the clear picture
as well as guide interventions moving forward because essential health services
including for health conditions such as diabetes should be maintained even
during the Covid-19 pandemic to avoid complications and death.” Chronicle
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