WC Health says poor port management affecting rollout of crucial medication

The Western Cape Health Department said the poor management of the country’s ports is affecting the rollout of crucial medication. 

Provincial Health MEC Mireille Wenger has urged Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to intervene in delays at the ports.

In a letter to Creecy, Wenger called for imported medicines to be prioritised at the beleaguered Port of Durban.

Twelve thousand containers were diverted from the Port of Durban last month as authorities moved to clear a growing backlog.

The terminal handles about 46% of the South Africa’s container traffic but has faced more disruptions since the introduction of the Navis N4 operating system.

A Filipino has taken over the terminal’s operations under a 25-year contract, with the commitment to improve port efficiency.

Persistent disruptions have increased costs for importers, exporters and local businesses.

The delays have also impacted medicine supplies in the Western Cape.

Wenger said the disruptions are placing further pressure on already constrained stocks.

“Every unnecessary delay in getting medicines into the country is another delay in getting them to the patients who need them.”

Wenger said the department is trying to manage inconsistent medicine supplies by sourcing alternatives and redistributing available stock.

She warned that these measures are becoming increasingly difficult as shortages persist.

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