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Chronicle Reporters
BULAWAYO’S Ingutsheni Central Hospital is reportedly running short of anti-psychotic drugs with members of staff now living in fear of attack by some of the patients. The institution requires a constant supply of Fluphenazine Deconate (FD) injection, Benzhexol tablets and Chrorpromazine (CPZ) drugs, which are reportedly in short supply.
While management at the referral hospital declined to comment on the issue, hospital staff who preferred anonymity said the problem was real.
“This problem has been there for sometime and it seems things are getting worse. The drugs are in short supply and as a result some patients are now hostile to staff members because of their condition,” said a staff member.
“The problem is that the patients we deal with can be dangerous and can do anything if they are not treated. They can even kill each other or attack staff members.”
Recently, there was report of an incident in which a mentally ill man admitted to the hospital was allegedly assaulted by staff members and lost two teeth in a brawl over food.
The matter spilled to the courts last month.
The staff members said they were not happy with the situation at Ingutsheni with some reportedly contemplating transferring to other health centres.
“Ingutsheni is the biggest psychotic referral centre in the country that should not run out of such basic drugs. Because of the problem some staff members are no longer comfortable working there,” said another staff member.
“Even if the hospital can give patients substitute drugs, they are not effective. Some of the outpatients are causing problems in their families because they do not have drugs.”
Said another staff member:
“The problem of drugs is horrible at Ingutsheni and patients react differently if not treated. Some can spend the whole day shivering while some can go berserk and turn violent.
“The most important drug is CPZ and as it is the drug is in short supply. Moreover, CPZ is no longer effective as there are new modern drugs, which we do not have. That explains why we have patients that have stayed at the hospital for more than a decade.”
There are reports that some patients have stayed at Ingutsheni since the 1980’s.
Health experts said CPZ, FD and Benzhezol were critical drugs for a psychotic institution, adding that the drugs work well when combined and that shortage of one can cause challenges.
Pharmacists who spoke to Chronicle yesterday confirmed that they have received prescriptions from Ingutsheni patients.
“By right psychotic patients should be given these drugs for free at the hospital but we have been receiving prescriptions from the hospital of people who want those drugs,” said a local pharmacist.
“It seems there are challenges in the supply side and that means those who cannot afford to buy will have problems. Imported drugs are also very expensive.”
A major drug manufacturer believed to be the sole supplier of CPZ is on annual shutdown, so there is a possibility that supplies of the drug might be further delayed until the firm resumes work, possibly next month.
A snap survey in the city’s pharmacies showed that psychotic drugs like Benzhexol, which is normally used for treating side effects of treatment, were out of stock.
Ingutsheni chief executive officer Dr Naboth Chaibva said:
“For how long have you been practising as a reporter? Ask your editor, he will tell you that you write your questions on paper. Ride your bicycle or whatever and bring them to the hospital,” he said.
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