ARV shortage hits Zimbabwe, lack of foreign currency cited

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has acknowledged that there is a shortage in anti-retroviral drugs in public health institutions. Communication intercepted by The Herald shows that the shortage is as a result of foreign currency shortages.

Part of the electronic communication reads:

The recommended pipeline months of stock levels are a result of the current country liquidity challenges which Natpharm is experiencing in using the National Aids Trust Fund with suppliers as they require hard currency to facilitate the process, hence the below minimum months of stock at national level.

National Aids Council (NAC) operations director Mr Raymond Yekeye told The Herald that they had budgeted $20 million to buy ARVs since the beginning of 2017, but they have not yet been allocated the foreign currency to proceed with the orders.

More: Herald