NURSING mothers in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, have lamented the alleged non availability of drugs for their children under the age of 0-5 earmarked for free medical treatment at Ughelli Central Hospital by the state government.
This is just as they appeal to the Delta State ministry of health for the provision of drugs for their children within the age limit of 0-5 respectively.
The Delta State government and the previous administrations had made provisions of free health services for pregnant women and children under 5 years through the health insurance scheme.
Though the Zonal Medical Director, Dr Valentine Ezeachi who denied the allegations disclosed that drugs are very much available at the pharmacy.
A nursing mother, Mrs. Kevwe in her ordeal in a telephone conversation said, “I took my daughter of a year and seven months for treatment at the children section at the Ughelli Central Hospital
According to her, “On getting there I saw other mothers stranded and upon inquiry we were asked to return him that there are no drugs as the ones supplied had finished some weeks back.
“I am going back home because they told us that there are no drugs. They told us that drugs are supplied ones in a month and the ones supplied has finished.
“The nurse whom we met their told us that mothers that came the previous day, (Thursday) were not given drugs and those who manage to get were given only Paracetamol and she is not sure of Paracetamol again as today, (Friday).
“She told us that drugs would be supplied probably by next week, first week of December and currently I don’t know what to do, I am just tired.” She lamented.
It would be recalled that in November, a patient with a clot in the eye, Mr. Malcolm Esumei who was brutalized was only given Paracetamol as prescription from a female medical practitioner at the A/E unit.
When contacted via Whatsapp message, the Zonal Medical Director, Dr Valentine Ezeachi said, “Currently on leave will find out what happened for the acting MD.
In another message, he said, “Drugs are available in the pharmacy. Patients only told buy drugs that are not available.”
