There is heightened concern in the public health sector that the shortage of medical supplies could worsen shortly due to disruptions in the movement of cargo because of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and that pharmaceutical supply challenges are also on the horizon.
On Wednesday, Radio Jamaica News reported that the global shortage of medical supplies is hampering the distribution of some critical items to the island's public hospitals.
The items in short supply include gloves, tapes and sutures also known surgical threads.
Radio Jamaica News has been told that the National Health Fund (NHF) has informed public health officials that the decision by China to lockdown its largest city, Shanghai, for nine days will result in a backlog in production and shipments causing delays which are anticipated to be felt globally until June.
A large number of sundry items such as gowns, surgical masks, cotton and gauze are manufactured in China.
There has been increased demand for gloves in the US, which has led to a shortage of latex in China.
China now imports additional latex from Malaysia which is more expensive and the price has also increased because of rising freight charges.
The shortage of latex gloves is expected to continue for the next five months.
The NHF has reportedly indicated that if there is no end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict soon, Jamaica's health sector may experience disruption in supplies of pharmaceuticals from India.
The sanctions imposed on Russia have led to the withdrawal of many companies including Indian firms.
India is the world's largest producer of generic drugs and approximately 40% of pharmaceuticals procured by the NHF is manufactured in that country.
Radio Jamaica News has also been informed that the shortage of plasma has impacted the supplies of blood products.
Suppliers have reportedly informed the NHF of the shortages.
The increase in oil prices has also compounded the issue of exorbitant freight charges, causing longer lead time as suppliers continue to negotiate better prices.
The NHF is reportedly implementing strategies to ensure minimum disruption in supplies of critical items.
These include providing suppliers with forecasts.
A shortage of medical supplies is already affecting at least one medical facility, with Cornwall Regional Hospital announcing that it has scaled back outpatient services.
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