Minister unable to explain delays in med supplies

Health Minister Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim said Thursday that it is difficult to state the reason for delays in receiving essential medicines and other health supplies, and for the time taken to respond to the public.

He made the remarks at a press conference held at the President’s Office when a journalist questioned the Health Ministry on why the NSPA takes a long period to provide medicines and supplies.

The journalist repeated the question, but the minister said such information could not be disclosed in that forum and is shared only with relevant authorities.

“I have always said that it is difficult to address a specific issue in a forum of this nature,” Nazim said.

He added that information of this kind is communicated to authorities, while the public is informed through media reports that investigations are under way and that legal action will follow where necessary.

Nazim said the World Health Organisation has noted that such incidents occur in healthcare facilities and remain a challenge across health systems.

He stated that conferences are held on the subject and efforts are made to reduce such incidents. He said one key measure is to strengthen reporting systems.

According to the minister, a system is in place within the Quality Assurance Department of the Ministry of Health to report incidents by telephone, online and in person. He said mechanisms exist to investigate and take action, and that these are being strengthened. He also noted the need to develop healthcare guidelines and inform the public.

The question was raised following the death of a six-year-old boy last month after a delay in receiving a feeding tube. The child’s mother shared details on social media after seeking the item for eight months through the State Trading Organisation (STO).

She stated that she did not receive responses to repeated inquiries and raised concern over delays in obtaining an item linked to patient care. She also said the tube could not be ordered as it did not receive approval from the NSPA after several requests.

When asked if action had been taken, Nazim said it is not possible to attribute a death to a single cause in a specific manner in such discussions.

“I assure the family that information will be shared with them and that legal steps will be taken to ensure the health service acts as required. It is not appropriate to discuss such details in this forum,” he said.