The frequent shortages of medicines in public health care facilities obliged those who could afford it to go to the private sector. This situation was disadvantageous to the poor, because they did not have protected access to free services at public health facilities. The situation also led to the overburdening of service provision at the referral hospitals thus increasing their cost. In addition, poor health services could increase morbidity and mortality from preventable diseases, especially among the vulnerable members of the community (for example, women, children and the...