Papo said they have battled in the past with patients collecting the same tablets at different hospitals and clinics and stockpiling their own back up medication.

The MEC said this must come to an end because it is just too costly.

“In the midst of all these problems, we need to have a health information system.

"We actually have already prepared a submission to the cabinet for the funding of a health information system.”

At the same time the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service said on Saturday it was in desperate need of blood type O.  

The organisation will be holding extra blood drives this long weekend in a bid to stock up on blood supplies. 

The service's Marlise Mouton said, “Blood cannot be artificially manufactured so we have to rely on volunteers to donate.

“With one donation you can save more than three lives.”