An acute TB drug stock out has hit Nebbi government hospital leaving several patients stranded with nowhere to turn for treatment. Reports from Nebbi Hospital show that the hospital ran out of TB drugs three months ago. As a result, Nebbi hospital has been turning away patients because of lack of drugs forcing some of the patients to travel to neighboring Arua and Zombo district to get TB drugs.
Mario Drasiko, the Nebbi Tuberculosis and Leprosy supervisor says that the only drug available is for the first line treatment. He says that as a result, they are now referring TB Patients to Angal Hospital, Wadelai health’s centre III and Goli health’s centre III which are very far. He says that in addition to lack of drugs the TB unit in Nebbi hospital under staffed.
But Dr Jakor Oryema, Nebbi District Health Officer attributes the TB drug stock out to the high number of TB patients in the district. He cites Wadelai health Center III, which he says serves patients from three neighboring districts of Amuru, Nwoya and Arua. He says that they have already informed the health ministry about the TB drug stock out in the district and they are waiting for a response from the National Medical Stores.
Dr Oryema appeals to other partners to team up with the district to address the crisis before the situation escalates. Sarah Adong, a TB patient says that she has trekked to Nebbi Hospital more than six times since April to get drugs in vain. She says as a result she has been moving to Arua district to TB access drugs but decries the high transport costs.
