Western Cape asks Creecy to prioritise medicine imports at Durban port
The Western Cape Health Department says poor port management delays the rollout of crucial medication and puts pressure on constrained stocks. Provincial Health MEC Mireille Wenger wrote to the Transport Minister about the problem.
In her letter, Wenger asked Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to give imported medicines priority at the Port of Durban. She said measures to manage inconsistent medicine supplies are becoming increasingly difficult as shortages persist.
Wenger said: "Every unnecessary delay in getting medicines into the country is another delay in getting them to the patients who need them."
The Durban terminal handles 46% of South Africa's container traffic. Twelve thousand containers were diverted from the port last month to clear a growing backlog. A Filipino company now runs the terminal under a 25-year contract.
Key facts
- Who
- Mireille Wenger (Western Cape Provincial Health MEC); Barbara Creecy (Transport Minister); Western Cape Health Department (provincial department that issued the statement); Port of Durban (terminal with operational disruptions; now operated by a Filipino company…)
- What
- The Western Cape Health Department says port disruptions are delaying medicine supplies and placing pressure on constrained stocks. In a letter to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, Provincial Health MEC Mireille Wenger called for imported medicines to be prioritised at the Port of Durban.
- When
- 31 October 2026
- Where
- Durban, Western Cape, South Africa
- Status
- Reported