14 Mar 2019

Letlhakane Primary Hospital has in the past experienced shortage of laboratory reagents, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Alfred Madigele has said.

He told Parliament that as of December 2018, the situation had improved to 69 per cent and to 81 per cent in January 2019, and that as of February 2019, it was 92 per cent.

He, however, noted that it was against the set target of 97 per cent availability.

Dr Madigele said shortage of reagents was due to short-lived contracts of six to 12 months at the Central Medical Stores (CMS) which affected availability of reagents countrywide.

He said it was not easy to forecast short-lived contracts, and that it made quantification difficult and limited delivery of required quantities due to expiries.

The minister stated that short-lived contracts compelled emergency orders, which in most cases, were not cost effective. 

He said to address the shortcomings, the ministry had run and awarded an open tender for laboratory equipment with comprehensive reagent-linked equipment maintenance contracts.

He said the tender would be effective in financial year 2019/2020, adding that reagents were vital for analysis of laboratory specimens which aided disease control and management.

Dr Madigele also noted that CMS faced challenges in keeping enough reagents to assist at the facility as a result of inadequate forecasting, delayed deliveries by suppliers and short-term contracts for supply of laboratory commodities.

Boteti East MP, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister to update Parliament on the status of laboratory reagents at Letlhakane Primary Hospital, and whether it was true that there was continuous shortage of reagents in the hospital.

He also wanted the minister to state the causes of shortage at the facility and CMS, the importance of reagents in laboratory analysis and availability in percentage in the past two years and monthly.

He had also asked why CMS did not keep enough reagents to assist at the facility. ENDS