Shortage of medicines for newborns reported

JEDDAH: The shortage of medicines for children up to two years of age that is being reported by citizens in Jeddah, Riyadh, Taif and Makkah is a result of increased demand, according to the Health Ministry.
Essam Tawfiq, spokesman of the ministry, was quoted as saying by a local publication on Tuesday that everything possible was being done to make up for the shortfall, which includes the hepatitis A vaccine.
One mother quoted by the publication said she had been trying to get proper medication for her child for five months at public and private facilities. She said she eventually had to travel to Madinah to get the medicine for her son.
The director of a private hospital in Jeddah confirmed that there was a shortage of medication for children under two years of age. “A number of citizens and residents have filed complaints about the continuous delay in supply, but to no avail,” he said.
There have previously been shortages of medication for children in the country. In January 2014, there was a shortfall for newborns and children under two. Later that year there was another lack reported, from May to July. In April 2015, there were no tuberculosis vaccines for newborns for more than a month.
At the time, several people were turned away from health centers, but had to provide their names so that they could be contacted when supplies became available.