MASERU — The Ministry of Health has responded to concerns raised by members of the public over shortages of essential medicines in Thaba-Tseka, Qacha’s Nek and Maseru districts, maintaining that government facilities remain adequately stocked while challenges persist largely outside its direct control.
In its response, the Ministry acknowledged that shortages of essential medicines do exist, but insisted these are not occurring within its own government-run facilities. The situation, it said, varies from one health centre to another, particularly among facilities that fall outside direct government supply systems.
“The extent of this out of stock cannot be clearly indicated since it may vary from facility to facility and it is outside our jurisdiction,” the Ministry said.
A Two-Tier Supply System Under Scrutiny
At the centre of the issue is a two-category system used to distribute medicines across the country.
The first category, Category A, includes critical treatments such as TB and HIV medication as well as family planning drugs. These are supplied directly by the Ministry of Health to all accredited facilities, including government, non-government and private institutions. The Ministry insists that these life-saving medicines are being supplied without interruption.
The second category, Category B, operates differently. Under this arrangement, individual health service providers are responsible for purchasing their own supplies, and it is here that shortages are being reported.
The Ministry emphasised that government facilities have not recorded stock-outs under this arrangement, suggesting the shortages are concentrated among facilities that must procure their own medicines independently.
Budget Constraints Cited as Key Driver
An internal assessment by the Ministry points to financial limitations as a primary cause of the shortages.
“Some of those facilities do not purchase enough supplies due to budgetary constraints,” the Ministry noted.
Authorities ruled out supply chain disruptions, stating there are no significant challenges with distributors in making Category B commodities available. This places the burden squarely on individual facilities, raising serious questions about the sustainability of a system that depends on facility-level purchasing power.
Government Seeks Long-Term Solution
The Ministry says it is aware of the challenges and is working with partners to develop a lasting solution. Discussions are ongoing under a Memorandum of Understanding framework, aimed at ensuring medicines are consistently and equitably available across all health facilities.
Interim Measures Increase Pressure on Health Workers
In the meantime, the government has introduced interim measures to manage the situation. These include strengthening outreach services for patients with chronic conditions, where groups are organised and healthcare workers collect medication in bulk from nearby government facilities.
The Ministry acknowledged, however, that this approach places a heavy workload on hospital staff. Healthcare providers have also been advised to increase the quantities they order, particularly to accommodate patients moving from facilities experiencing stock-outs.
Patients Directed to Private Pharmacies
The Ministry confirmed that where critical medicines are unavailable, patients may be advised to seek alternatives from nearby facilities or purchase from private pharmacies. It described this as standard practice in cases where treatment cannot be interrupted, though it noted that providers should not direct patients to specific pharmacies.
Government Insists Its Facilities Are Stocked
Despite the concerns reported, the Ministry maintains that government health facilities are well stocked, supported by a tracking system used to monitor stock levels. It further stated that no formal complaints have been received regarding shortages of health commodities.
A System Under Pressure
While the government maintains that its core supply systems are functioning, the situation exposes structural imbalances within the health sector. A system that guarantees supply in some facilities while leaving others dependent on their own financial capacity risks creating uneven access to essential medicines across the country.
For patients in Thaba-Tseka, Qacha’s Nek and Maseru, the distinction may feel academic. What matters is whether medication is available when it is needed. And increasingly, the answer to that question appears to depend not on policy, but on where one seeks treatment.
