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People suffering from Drug Sensitive Tuberculosis (DS-TB) are facing an uncertain future following the shortage of Rifabutin, an antibiotic essential to treat this type of tuberculosis, Nhau can report.
This comes at a time government is struggling to restructure the Health ministry under the “firm care” of Vice President Chiwenga.
Rifabutin is typically only used to assist treating people with HIV/AIDS who are also on anti-retroviral treatment.
The shocking revelations are part of a letter Secretary for Health and Child Care Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza wrote addressed to all Central Hospital executives and health directors in government including those from the Defence Forces, signed on September 25, 2020.
“The country is currently faced with shortages of Rifabutin 150mg used in the treatment of Drug Sensitive Tuberculosis (DS-TB) among TB/HIV co-infected patients on second line retroviral therapy (ART). The shortages are associated with active pharmaceutical ingredient quality issues at manufacturer level,” it reads.
Air Comm Chimedza said the country expects the next delivery mid next year and based on the current stock levels of the commodity “the country will be stocked out by end of November 2020”. Nhau/Indaba
