The Outpatient Department (OPD) of Raihu District Hospital in Aitape, is facing major shortage of drugs for treatment of illnesses.

According to Dr. Edward Knol, essential drugs such as Arthemita, Amoxyciline, Camoquinine and Chloroquine have either decreased in stock or have run out altogether.

Patients at the OPD Ward are now being advised to buy their own medicine, especially Arthemita from supermarkets upon prescription.

Dr. Edward also stated that the situation was becoming a concern of the hospital management and that it was being looked into.

"One of the contributing factors of this is that, large numbers of patients are coming back to the hospital as a result of treatment failure," explained Dr. Edward.

He added that the hospital had faced the same problem in August last year (2005), which had lasted for two months. No similar case has been reported from the outstations (rural Aid Posts).

At present efforts are being made by Dr. Edward and the Diocesan Health Secretary, Agatha Grace to contact the Area Medical Store in Wewak for the purchase of these medications.