Public drugs must reach patients

TANZANIA: THE Prime Minister’s directive requiring security organs to conduct monthly investigations into the procurement, distribution and use of medicines in public health facilities raises an important accountability issue: Medicines purchased with taxpayers’ money must reach the patients for whom they are intended.

The directive addresses a troubling contradiction. While official figures indicate medicine availability of 97 per cent in district and regional hospitals and 96 per cent in health centres and dispensaries, patients continue to complain of being referred to private pharmacies to purchase essential medicines.

This discrepancy raises serious questions about transparency, supervision and the management of public resources. If medicines are available in government facilities, why are patients forced to buy them elsewhere? Where are the supplies going?

These questions demand clear answers. Dr Mwigulu Nchemba’s insistence that those found responsible for diverting medicines or misusing public funds face firm action must be matched by thorough investigations.

These should expose weaknesses in procurement, stock management and distribution, while ensuring that monthly reports lead to concrete corrective measures and appropriate legal action.

Equally concerning are reports of public servants turning away citizens without appointments and health workers demanding fuel contributions before transferring critically ill patients to referral hospitals.

Such practices undermine public trust and contradict the fundamental obligation of public institutions to serve citizens. Emergency healthcare must never be held hostage to administrative procedures or unofficial payments.

Pregnant women requiring emergency surgery, accident victims and other critically ill patients deserve immediate attention. Registration formalities should follow after urgent medical needs have been addressed.

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Public servants must recognise that their positions carry responsibilities, not privileges. Citizens deserve dignity, fairness and timely services.

Those who neglect their duties or exploit vulnerable patients must face appropriate consequences. The Prime Minister’s assurance of improved financing for development projects following completion of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project is also encouraging.

However, adequate funding must be accompanied by effective supervision, timely implementation and value for money. Ultimately, government commitments must translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.

Medicines audits must help eliminate diversion and shortages, disciplinary action must strengthen professionalism, and development funding must accelerate essential projects.

Tanzanians deserve hospitals with medicines, emergency treatment without unofficial charges and public offices that serve them promptly and respectfully. Public resources belong to the people and must be managed in their interest. Public medicines belong to patients, not profiteers.