ration

“We are also facing critical shortages of basic medical supplies such as gauze, iodine, alcohol swabs, and chlorhexidine for wound care. These essentials are crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing, but we are forced to ration what little we have,” Dr. S. said.

Once a week, Ms Richards heads to a crowded food bank, which she says are now mostly distributing self-heating military-style ration packs - which usually include a small main course, crackers or cheese, dessert and a powdered drink - to help feed her family.

The shortage caused by the Baxter plant's temporary closure has forced hospitals to postpone surgeries as a desperate measure to ration supplies for patients in the most critical condition.

He said that for some seniors, this is the only food they have for the day, and they ration out the meal to last through breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The clinic is running out of clean water, meaning they have to ration what they have in the small jerrycans underneath their beds.