THOSE who have been to some of our government hospitals and clinics will agree with me that the situation with regard to provision of drugs still remains pathetic.
It has become a common practice to give sick people prescriptions to buy medicines even after being made to wait for hours in long queues.
I recently took my son who has been coughing for a long time for a checkup at Matero Level One hospital. We were suspecting that he could have TB.
We were in the queue, like other parents, as early as 06.00 hours and we were finally ushered into an office to see the doctor around 16.00 hours.
By that time our hearts were in our mouths because of the fear of medical personnel knocking off at 17.00 hours.
Any way after beating the knock off time we were happy to see the doctor who examined our son and he confirmed our fears that he poor fellow had tuberculosis and immediately put him on treatment.
But on that day we could not be given some drugs to be taken at home because the pharmacy had closed down at 17.00 hours.
Typical of Zambian manner of doing things! Can we see some improvement in this sector please.
MICHAEL C. MBEWE
