The dispenser may have to be away for one of the following reasons:

• Annual leave,
• Maternity leave,
• Sick leave.

The chairman of the health committee and the head of the health centre should make arrangements for temporary staff to serve in the dispensary during the absence of regular staff. Use the inventory form (Diagram 17) to establish the current stock with the person taking over. The outgoing and incoming staff should sign the inventory, and the health committee representative and head of the health centre should endorse it. Cash should be personally handed to the person taking over. Do not take any money away. Send a copy of the “handing over” note to the head of the health centre. Upon return from leave, the regular dispenser should follow the same procedure in taking over. In an emergency, the head of the health centre should arrange adequate coverage of the dispensary for the period of the emergency.