MINISTER of Health Elijah Muchima says the theft of medicines reflects a deep-rooted problem that began long before the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration took office in August 2021.
Yesterday, the United States government announced that it had cut K1.4 billion (approximately $50 million) in annual funding for malaria, HIV, and TB medications due to the government’s failure to address the widespread theft of donated medical supplies.
US Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales stated that since 2021, the US has uncovered systemic theft of life-saving medicines, including antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) intended for free distribution to the public.
However, in a national address, Dr Muchima said the persistent challenge reflects a deep-rooted problem that took hold long before the current administration assumed office in August 2021, stemming from systemic weaknesses in oversight and supply chain management under previous governments.
“To address this, the Government of Zambia has implemented robust remedial measures to protect medicines, ensuring they reach the patients who need them most. You may wish to note that the President of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, commissioned a comprehensive independent forensic audit of the entire medicines supply chain immediately after the concerns were raised,” he said.
The Minister said the audit was commissioned by the Auditor General’s Office and conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, with its interim report shared with stakeholders, including cooperating partners, at State House at the invitation of the President.
He said following the preliminary report, the Government of Zambia took action by suspending several ZAMMSA officials from their positions.
“You may wish to note that, other than the Director of Finance, these officials are appearing before the courts of law,” Dr. Muchima said.
He added that the final report has been completed and cleared by the Office of the Auditor General for further action.
Dr Muchima said there will be no sacred cows in this process, adding that all suspects will go through the full legal process, with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by competent courts of law.
He urged the US Ambassador to Zambia to share any additional information that may be useful for further action or prosecution.
Dr Muchima further stated that the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has intensified its operations, leading to the arrest and prosecution of additional individuals involved in the theft of medicines.
“In its quest to improve visibility of the supply chain system, ZAMMSA has implemented an advanced digital stock tracking system. This system enables real-time monitoring of medical inventories, ensuring accurate record-keeping and reducing diversion and/or theft of medicines,” he said.
He added that to ensure long-term sustainability, the Ministry of Health, ZAMMSA, and key stakeholders are set to convene next week in the Copperbelt for an annual planning exercise to assess Zambia’s medical needs for 2026.
Dr Muchima said the strategic session will focus on optimizing resource allocation, strengthening supply chain security, and guaranteeing the availability of essential medicines for all Zambians.
The Minister also assured the public that Zambia currently maintains sufficient stocks of essential medicines, including antiretroviral, antimalarial, and other critical drugs, with no immediate risk of shortages.
“Under this government, national essential drug availability has increased from averages under 35% to well over 75% countrywide for primary care,” he said.
Dr Muchima added that government is engaged in constructive dialogue with the U.S. Government to address their concerns, implement robust solutions, and maintain the strong partnership that underpins Zambia’s healthcare progress.
He said the government remains committed to transparency, accountability, and justice in delivering quality healthcare to every Zambian.
(Mwebantu)
What a whole lot of nonsense Minister. UPND has been in power for 3.5yrs now..What have you done about this terrible rot in our system? Your govt has certainly not done enough hence loss of this aid. It’s very lame to blame previous regimes when UPND is in the driving seat. The more things try to change the more they stay the same. UPND you are a great disappointment. Your performance is way below expectations. You just as vicious as PF in a sheep’s skin. Disappointed citizen!
The US Ambassador was very clear when he stated that between 2021 to date a lot of meetings were held with Government Officials during which the Medicine thefts were revealed but regrettably no seriousness was shown by Government.Furthermore,a visit to various Pharmacies were carried out of which a large number of them were found selling stolen GRZ drugs.Can the Minister of Health disclose how many Pharmacies were arrested and appearing in Court.
UPND should by now cease to keep on blaming previous Governments for all problems the country is facing because during the campaigns,now President HH was very clear that once he assumes Presidential office he will through UPND provide proper leadership that will see Zambia prosper.So let Zambians continue to enjoy the prosperity UPND is providing.
There is more to this US aid cut that meet the eye
The minister has explained that various measures were instituted including engaging a foreign independent audit firm
The ministers has also intimated that thefts have not severely and negatively affected care for the patients indicating that health centers are almost fully stocked with the essential drugs to last for a considerable time But these facts seem have escaped a mourning Gonzales
The withdrawal of the aid seem to be final and not intended to pressure the Government to do more before aid can be restored as does the European cooperating partners
I would think that it is the US government that doe s not care about Zambian lives.The US government must share any additional information in their hands to help resolve these thefts if they are genuine with their developent aid for Zambia
I have been saying this for many years now that this government is very corrupt. It makes me very sad that I was one of those that voted them into office based on their lies. We need to just vote them out next year. It does not matter who we replace them with, as long as we get rid of them.
God bless Why Me and Captain Ibrahim Traore.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Very strange response by the Minister. Fact that this is a pre-2021 problem does not preclude his administration from blame or from actually fixing this. If there are robust measures in place, why haven’t they stemmed the malaise? It means there has been a pattern of inheriting loopholes just as is the case in road construction and other sectors of our bleeding economy. We have enough resources to fund our way to development!
I am very skeptical of these theft pronouncements. Most of them are unsubstantiated originating mainly from quarters within hospitals who do not understand how things run in pharmacies, especially some administrator (Doctors) who are usually raw, and politicians take them as truth. Record keeping yes could be problematic because pharmacy personnel are overwhelmed with work and tend to neglect record keeping when queues are so long. Thorough audits would reveal fewer thefts than alleged. Expiries could be a larger problem than thefts in my view. Minister, do not believe everything they tell you. Rather get both sides of the story. These unfounded reports by ill informed administrators do more harm to the country than good. See how the US ambassador take them as gospel truth when much of them are pure speculations. The country loses out. I once was in the system and I know what I am talking about.
The worst thing this government will do in response is to start defending itself. They now think even Gonzales is as gullible as those 2.8 million people they’ve been managing to deceive and convince with their rhetoric.
While the Minister’s statement is true, it does not in any way absolve the current government of this rot because the problem has continued way into the UPND’s rein. The government should have taken a very tough stance against the criminally minded civil servants from that rotten PF regime. Criminals understand only one language – brutality.
Ulabeja this is purely upnd problem not pf ,upnd are thief’s to the core now you are blaming pf ,are you sure
With such a corrupt government a free News media would have been thriving!! How come DeadNBC doesnt carry stories of such regularised theft of medicines? Too lapdog? Zambia Daily Mail?
These media are wasting government funds! Imagine! Just “a visit to various Pharmacies were carried out of which a large number of them were found selling stolen GRZ drugs”
An investigative media would have uncovered who has been or is stealing drugs paid for by foreign donors and our tax.
This very unique passing of the Buck has only happened from 2021. Even MMD didnt blame UNIP so much. I think UPND thinks voters have short memories
Theft could have began before you came in but Masebo as minister of health exasperated it to new levels. Using her right hand man in kabwe by the name of Dr Panja that was the conduit they were using to siphon off medical supplies and sell them to private pharmacies. The same panja even runs a private practice of his own where he is mostly found even though he is on government payroll supposed to be working from chibimbo but due to protection from Masebo never went there. Now HH instead of firing these pipo he merely transfers. This is the result.