Three newly opened health centers in Moyo district are grappling to operate because of lack of drugs. They are Gwere health centre II in Lefori sub county, Afoji health centre II in Moyo sub-county and Opiro health centre II in Moyo Town Council. The health centers were commissioned recently by Moyo district authorities bringing to 42, the number of health centers in the district.
But James Alule, the Inspector West Moyo Health sub district says that the newly opened health centers will have to wait a little longer to operate because they have not been registered by the National Medical Stores. He says that in addition to lack of drugs, the new health centers are grappling with staff shortage. Alule explains that all the newly opened health centers and old units have one medical worker and two support staff members, making the delivery of health services in the district a big challenge.
Charles Opiku, a resident of Eremi village in Moyo sub-county says access to health services is a big problem. He wonders why the district rushed to commission the health centers without considering staffing and provision of drugs. Opiku explains that no activity has taken place at Afioji health center since it was commissioned a few weeks back.
He wants the district to stock and staff the health center immediately or close the unit until it is able to supply drugs. Opiku also challenges the district to recruit more medical workers instead of support staff without any medical background. But James Alule, the Inspector West Moyo Health sub district says the problems facing the health centers cannot be sorted out in the next few days. He explains that the problem of staff shortage does not only affect Moyo district alone, but the entire country.
He appeals to the locals to remain calm as the district arranges with the National Medical Stores to start supplying drugs to the new health units. Moyo currently has one hospital, one Health Centre IV, Six Health Centre IIIs and 42 health centre IIs. Plans are under way to upgrade two health II units to Health Centre III and Moyo Catholic Mission Health Centre III to Health Centre IV.
