Pilferage a major problem in RHAs

Health Minister Fuad Khan says he is working on streamlining the supply of pharmaceuticals to regional health authorities because of the amount of pilferage. Khan made the statement after he toured the Sangre Grande Hospital, Ojoe Road, Sangre Grande, on Wednesday. “We have a large CDAP (Chronic Disease Assistance Programme) population and I am trying to streamline the population, because there is a lot of duplication and pilferage of pharmaceuticals,” Khan said.

“So if we’re looking after 300,000 people, it looks as if we are looking after 600,000 people. “When the health card comes into place we should have the transparency and accountability on that CDAP system. “We have to have an investigation going on because what we purchase and what we supply don’t match.”

Last week, Khan announced that CDAP would be decentralised and moved from the National Insurance Property Development Company (Nipdec) and put in the hands of the RHAs to do their own purchasing. “We are looking to give the RHAs more autonomy to purchase their own drugs. We are looking at the process at giving each RHA that autonomy. We have good boards and good CEOs so it should be done fast,” he said.

On construction at the Sangre Grande Hospital, he said: “We are advancing. The paediatric ward is functioning quite well. “The maternity is also doing well and the casualty is doing a good job. There is construction going on, with a new radiology centre and a new pharmacy building. I’ve got to see how far it (construction) has reached.” He said construction work was supposed to finish in August this year but will now be completed by April next year. The estimated cost is $21 million. 

Khan said the purpose of his visit was to make sure the health sector is going “in a proper direction.” He also urged people to limit their intake of fats, alcohol and cigarettes during the holiday season.