The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has assured the public that there no shortage or impending crisis regarding renal consumables, specifically glucose fluids used for renal dialysis, in the country.
ZAMMSA Corporate Communications Senior Manager, Bradley Chingobe, says while the 1.5% glucose fluid, essential for both Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD), is temporarily out of stock, patients are assured the 2.3% and 4.25% glucose fluids remain available in sufficient quantities and can effectively substitute the 1.5% fluid during this period.
Mr. Chingobe has therefore encouraged all health facilities to utilize the available 2.3% glucose fluid while ZAMMSA expedites efforts to replenish the 1.5% stock.
“The temporary unavailability of the 1.5% glucose fluid is a result of an unexpected increase in demand for renal healthcare services at public facilities,” said Mr. Chingobe in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
He said that all suppliers have been instructed to deliver directly to health facilities during the central warehouse’s annual stock take exercise to accelerate the restocking of the 1.5% glucose fluid.
Angel Kasabo
