DILI, 14 september 2023 (TATOLI)—Interim Executive Director of the Medicines and Medical Devices Storage Agency (SAMES), Octavio Fernandes, admitted that currently SAMES is facing a shortage of medicines.
“Currently SAMES has 359 (78%) drug items stored in the warehouse, of this number around 101 or 22% items are out of stock. the 22% Drugs items are in the procurement process and will arrive in Timor-Leste on September 18,” said Octavio Fernandes to journalists at his office, Kampung Alor, Dili.
The government allocates a budget of $15 to $20 million annually for the procurement of drugs and health equipment.
“However, some medical items are out of stock because the budget was insufficient because the budget estimate from SAMES has been calculated starting from all medical equipment to medicines,” he said.
He explained that the budget allocated to SAMES was very limited for the procurement of medicines and medical devices. Even though the need for hospitals and referral hospitals is very large, the approved budget is insufficient, so Timor-Leste often experiences drug shortages at SAMES.
According to Fernandes, SAMES received $5.2 million in 2023 for drug and medical equipment procurement, while in the budget revision, SAMES proposed an additional budget and $6 million was allocated to SAMES.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
