By Durell Namasani
As reports of shortage of essential drugs in the country has surfaced , the Minster of Health found herself asked in parliament to explain government position on the matters
Ministry of Health says atleast 30 billion kwacha is required to recapitalize the Central Medical Stores so that it procures all medical drugs, to save the country from running out of essential medicines. Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Choponda said this at Parliament today while responding to the issue from Dowa North Constituency, where she said her ministry is aware of the shortage, and now engaging ministry of local government and treasury on how best district hospitals can handle their drugs budgets.
Chiponda added that in the meantime, the ministry is sitting on atleast 3 billion kwacha worth of expired drugs due to misprocurement, which may be part of the reason for the drug shortage.
An acute shortage of essential medical drugs has hit the country’s major referral health facilities and district hospitals reaching crisis levels. Findings show drugs such as, anesthesia, painkillers, lignocaine, and drugs for mental health, epilepsy and sickle cell anemia are in short supply.
Central Medical Stores Spokesperson, Herbert Chandilanga, says, a fast-tracked, stop gap procurement process to restock critical anesthesia items has just received a No Objection approval Friday last week, and that CMST has already talked to selected suppliers to obtain the critical products within the shortest possible time.
Chandilanga, adds, this situation is so because some suppliers struggled to secure logistics mainly at sea, from India and China as there is now a logistics scramble worldwide. CMST is emphasizing on airlifting as a mode of delivery.
