19 Feb 2026

As the 2025/26 financial year nears its end, Moshupa District Council’s Vital, Essential, and Necessary (VEN) drug stocks is at  51 per cent  a 13 per cent drop from last quarter’s 64 per cent. 

Council chairperson Mr Peter Sethibe gave and update during Tuesday’s full council session, saying that shortages threatened patient care across clinics and health posts. 

He said the council had an emergency meeting with Primary Health Care Services and had  formally escalated the matter  to the Ministry of Health. 

Mr Sethibe said called for the restoration of micro-procurement powers or rock-solid guarantees of uninterrupted supplies from Central Medical Stores. 

To bridge the gap, he said officials had launched a rapid redistribution drive, shifting surplus stock from better-supplied facilities to those with shortages.

 “This is not a solution, it is a palliative measure. While we fight for the cure, we must manage the pain,” Mr Sethibe said. “

He said new measures included weekly drug availability monitoring at every site, citing that the local authority would no longer wait for quarterly reports to uncover disasters. The council has also approached local pharmacy on contract to explore short-term credit for essentials. 

“I cannot promise success, but I can promise that no stone will be left unturned,” he said. 

Furthermore, Mr Sethibe said  Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatious Moswaane, paid an unannounced visit to local clinics and the medical store warehouse on  January 27  to assess drug stocks and to show support to  frontline staff. 

On other issues, Councillor Kabo Ramatsipele of Magotlhwane/Kgomokasitwa hailed the impending opening of Moshupa Primary Hospital in April as a game-changer for district health services. 

Councillor Omphile Motlhajoe of Ralekgetho Ward voiced frustration over neglected roads, blaming delayed and inadequate Rural Support Grants (RSG) from the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs for stalling service delivery. ENDS