DDA procures K370,000 worth of medical supplies for Alotau

Alotau District has stepped in to address ongoing medicine shortages by procuring K370,000 worth of basic drugs and essential health equipment for its health centers.

Local MP Ricky Morris said the initiative was necessary despite District Service Improvement Program [DSIP] guidelines, which mainly focus on funding health infrastructure rather than medicine procurement.

“Given the growing shortage of medicines, we had no choice but to step in and help our people,” Morris said. “The process was long and bulky, but with the assistance of the Milne Bay Provincial Government and Health Authority, we were able to secure approval to proceed.”

The supplies, procured with guidance from the National Department of Health, will soon be distributed to health centers within the district.

Morris said inconsistent drug deliveries have forced many residents to purchase medicines from private pharmacies, which is often unaffordable.

“While DSIP funding is usually for infrastructure projects, we had to learn and navigate the process of buying medical supplies because the situation demanded urgent action,” he said.

Milne Bay Health Authority chief executive officer Dr Perista Mamadi evealed that Kiriwina-Goodenough and Esa’ala Districts have also undertaken similar initiatives to ensure their communities have access to essential medicines.