MINISTER OF HEALTH REVOKES BOARD APPOINTMENT AND SUSPENDS KEY OFFICIALS AT ZAMMSA
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
The Minister of Health, Dr Alex Katakwe, has taken decisive administrative action aimed at restoring integrity, transparency, and public confidence in the operations of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency.
In a move described as both lawful and necessary, the Minister has with immediate effect revoked the appointment of Keegan Mwape Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia President as a Board Member, citing his mandate to ensure efficiency and accountability within the institution.
The action comes amid growing concerns surrounding governance and procurement practices at the agency responsible for the supply of essential medicines and medical supplies in Zambia.
To further strengthen oversight and allow for thorough investigations, several senior officials within ZAMMSA have also been suspended with immediate effect.
These include Acting Director of Procurement Justin Milimo, Acting Manager for Medicines Diana Musa, Senior Procurement Officer Brian Munoka, and Acting Director of Planning Rachel Msimuko.
The suspensions are intended to pave way for unhindered investigations into the operations of the agency.
Dr Katakwe has since called upon investigative bodies, including the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission, to probe the matter and ensure that any wrongdoing is addressed in line with the law.
The Minister says that upholding accountability and reinforcing efficiency within ZAMMSA remains critical to safeguarding the country’s health system.
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This Ministry is really a retrogressive monster in this country and for sure requires complete overhaul, even if it means re- advertising all positions.
The pilferage of medicines begins with the pharmacy through to the nurse.
This came with individuals conniving with proxies to setup drug stores and laboratory services dotted around government clinics and hospitals. Equipment in government facilities being deliberately disabled or damaged to pave way for privately owned labs providing these services at exorbitant prices to take advantage.
It is known that even some permanent secretaries present or former may be owning these facilities.
Accountants too must be investigated.
You may change the top officers but the root cause may be the people in the system involved with procurement, distribution, auditing etc.
Imagine an Equipment operator moving with chemicals needed to accomplish tests in a bag and selling them to patients needing them desperately.
Imagine clerks charging people to get favorable appointments with Doctors or indeed operations or procedures.
Imagine nurses expecting payment in order to take care of patients. That’s the rot going on in these institutions. That’s madness.
The Minister has a very big task ahead, and he must know that the people involved will soon find something to get him moved or fired like they have done to Masebo and immediate former Minister. So, he must move quickly and put in place measures to overhaul the whole system.
How about advertising all jobs and transferring some people who may be the master minders?
How about introducing bag scanners and bio reporting systems as well as lockers where employees may leave their bags?
How about introducing digital dispensation of drugs with real time record automation?