Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati, says the massive digitization going on in the Ministry of Health is aimed at promoting efficiency in health delivery and stop pilferage of drugs.
Mr. Mutati says the use of digital tools to deliver health services will promote responsible utilization of government resources and catch those who steal and sale drugs.
Speaking in Mpika District when he addressed various stakeholders in the health sector who are preparing for the 2025 to 2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for Muchinga Province, Mr. Mutati said the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Technology and Science are working on making sure that drugs are monitored to ensure that they are dispensed to the right people.
He said through Track and Trace, a new initiative to monitor the movement of drugs, confidence is being generated in the drug supply to health facilities across the country.
“By employing Artificial Intelligence in the health sector, we will deliver drugs faster and reduce the cost. We are digitizing Zambia to ensure that drugs are monitored from the point of supply upto the point of consumption,” said Mr. Mutati.
Mr. Mutati urged those attending the meeting to plan properly for the health sector as the government resource envelope is highly constrained.
He said the 2025 to 2027 MTEF must have prudence and be accountable in the effective use of government resources.
And Muchinga Province Health Director, David Silweya, said the current drought has shown the country that there is need to adopt technology in the delivery of health services.
Dr. Silweya said the dependence on fossil fuels has been impacted by the drought which has resulted in reduced energy needed to serve the Zambian people.
Health personnel from the Districts, the Province, non governmental organizations and other partners are attending the meeting for the preparation of the 2025 to 2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework for Muchinga Province.
By Eva Hatontola
