This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
Published on July 18, 2020, a mother's cry for help has gone unanswered as a crucial medication for managing cerebral palsy, Rivotril, has become scarce in Kenya.
Ms Beatrice Adhiambo's 14-year-old daughter, Pheny Atieno, suffers from cerebral palsy, a condition that affects brain development often before birth. The condition may come with visual, learning, hearing, speech, epileptic, or other impairments.
Ms Adhiambo's main worry is the disappearance of Rivotril from the shelves of public and private hospitals and chemists. The drug manages convulsions, fever, and nausea.
"My daughter is in pain and gets withdrawn if she does not get the medicine. Knowing that I can do nothing to help her is the worst part of it. My eyes are red and aching for lack of sleep," the mother of four said.
Ms Judith Okuto, a resident of Migori County with two cerebral palsy children, said the drug began vanishing from hospitals last year. If her children fail to get the medicine, they experience convulsions, which can lead to death.
Ms Sylvia Mochabo, a Nairobi resident with a special needs child, also says that the drug is no longer readily available. The shortage of the drug has led to suffering, with the few hospitals or chemists selling it increasing the price.
One tablet of Rivotril, which ordinarily costs Sh12 to Sh18, now goes for at least Sh23. Parents and institutions dealing with special needs children are now calling on the government to ensure hospitals have the drug.
Dr Lawrence Otieno, a pharmacist in Kisumu, said Rivotril is in a group of drugs that is hardly supplied to public hospitals. "Since Rivotril is not listed among essential drugs, the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency hardly takes it to our public hospitals," Dr Otieno said.
