Pauline Etienne
17 August 2007
Port Louis — Health services in Mauritius are free. There are not many countries where this is the case and we are lucky to benefit from free care. However, it should in no way mean that service should be of lower quality. Hospitals must make sure they can provide quality services to all patients because they are entitled to it.
Yesterday, "l'express" revealed that syringes used in the treatment of diabetes were in limited quantity in hospitals. As a result, all those suffering from diabetes - and they are numerous in this country - and usually getting treatment in hospitals have had to content themselves with four syringes a month only.
Such problems can lead to serious complications for sick people. According to a pharmacist, the use of one syringe on several occasions can lead to infections or abscesses. And when people suffering from diabetes get wounds, it takes more time to heal. Such delays in the delivery of consumables can lead to serious health hazards and the authorities can't play with this.
The ministry of Health however made it clear that the problem was only a delay in delivery because of floods in China. "Such a situation could not be foreseen and we did our best not to penalise patients," said the ministry of Health. It may be true but the best was still not enough - the health of patients has been put at stake.
But an even more serious issue is the fact that other sources pointed at a "bad management of the stocks by certain executives". The ministry must make sure there are no management problems in hospitals so that such a problem does not occur again. Instead of brushing this possibility aside right from the beginning, it must enquire into the matter and take appropriate decisions, if necessary.
It has already shown severity towards those putting the health of patients at stake after the shortage of medicines that occurred a few months back. A senior civil servant had even been reprimanded after that incident.
The ministry may well say that the situation has come back to normal now but the most important thing is to make sure that it never happens again. It could have serious consequences. Patients have the right to be cured in a clean environment, with clean and appropriate equipment. And the ministry has the duty to provide this to all citizens. Half-measures are not allowed when health is concerned.
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