Concerns Raised Over Tetanus Vaccine Shortage at Suriname’s Mungra Medical Center
NICKERIE – A member of Suriname’s National Assembly has voiced serious concerns regarding a lack of tetanus vaccines at the Mungra Medical Center (MMC).
Since December of last year, the MMC’s emergency room has been without tetanus vaccines. Patients requiring stitches after an injury are now being referred to the Regional Health Service to receive a tetanus injection. This practice is considered undesirable and places an additional burden on patients, according to Rawien Rahoenandan, the DNA member who raised the alarm.
“For someone who has just had a wound stitched, it is physically and practically difficult to travel to another location for a necessary injection,” Rahoenandan stated. “In emergency situations, complete care should be immediately available at the emergency room.”
Tetanus is a severe infectious disease that enters the body through wounds and affects the nervous system. Without timely vaccination, it can lead to severe muscle spasms, breathing difficulties, and even death. Due to the fact that of these potentially life-threatening complications, immediate access to a tetanus shot during wound care is crucial. The CDC provides information on types of tetanus vaccines and their importance.
Rahoenandan is urging relevant authorities to urgently replenish the tetanus vaccine supply at the MMC. “The residents of Nieuw Nickerie have the right to accessible, complete, and safe emergency care. This must not become a permanent bottleneck,” he emphasized. This situation highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vaccine supplies to protect public health and ensure timely care for those who necessitate it.
