Kabarole — The Government is planning to set up regional medical stores to reduce red-tape in drug distribution at health centres.

State Minister for Primary Health Care James Kakooza told journalists recently in Fort Portal town that the medical stores will be distribution centres for districts within the region.

This comes after a public outcry on the absence of drugs in the health centres of Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge, Bundibugyo and Kasese districts.

Mr Kakooza blamed district health officers for the delay in drug distribution due to late submission of requisition reports to the ministry.

Distribution channel

In Uganda, health centres place orders for drug purchases with district health officials, who requisition the drugs from the National Medical Stores and the Joint Medical Stores - the two main suppliers of drugs in the country.

But Mr Kakooza said once the centres are in place, districts will be in position to access drugs in time.

"The district health officers will be getting the drugs from the regional medical stores in time to save lives of Ugandans," he said.

The government has 57 hospitals, 179 health centres and 989 other medical facilities around the country.