Medicine Shortage Hits Bolga

There is imminent danger in the Upper East Region where the health care delivery system faces a collapse as a result of depleting stocks of medical supplies at the Bolgatanga Region Medical Stores. Stocks of essential drugs, including anti-malaria medicines, are said to be running lower by the day with hapless regional health authorities saddled with over GH�2 million debts owed to suppliers. Checks have revealed that public health facilities in the eight districts and two municipalities in the region, including Bunkprungu Yuuyoo District, are indebted to the Bolgatanga Regional Medical Stores to the tune of GH�2, 149,187.92. The debt has been attributed to delays by the National Health Insurance Authority to pay claims made by the facilities some of which submitted the claims as far back as June. The debts have also affected stocks of non-drug consumables which are fast depleting. It is already feared that the debts, if not addressed properly and timely, could affect healthcare delivery in the region, which is one of the country's poorest regions.