Persons with lived mental health experiences have bemoaned the shortage of their medication in public health institutions which is forcing them to cough up more money at private community pharmacies.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Mrs Angela Mkorongo, a person with lived experiences who is also a mental health advocate said this on the sidelines of the World Mental Health Day Commemorations held on Monday.
She said she ended up footing the bill for her friend who couldn’t access the medication at public mental health institutions.
“Some of our colleagues are failing to access medication for their mental health conditions. They end up not taking up the medication because it is too expensive. I will give you an example of a colleague of mine who stays in the rural areas, who came with her prescription in Harare. This colleague sought the medication at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals’ Psychiatry Hospital (Annex) and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital’s Harare Psychiatry Hospital but could not find it. Then I ended up buying her the medication for her at USD28 at a pharmacy,” Mrs Mkorongo said.
Mrs Mkorongo also said it was important for Government to ensure the medication for mental health is found for free at public health institutions as many cannot afford it.
“Now we need to consider the high number of people failing to get this medication as well as those who are defaulting their medication because they are failing to access it in public hospital at other hospitals, this medication is on sale.
“Government should make sure the medication for mental health is accessible for free because if it is sold many will not afford it because of economic hardships. As for me, I have to fork out USD18 every month because public hospitals do not have the medication leaving me with no choice but to go to the pharmacy,” she said.
Responding to the issue, Health and Child Care deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said they are in the process of ensuring the public medication cheap.
“Back then, this medication was bought at expensive prices but now as Government we will be buying these medications directly from the manufacturer to cut the costs of middlemen. With this arrangement, the medication will be found cheap. We are also urging local manufacturers to make these medications,” he said.
