The Medicines Research and Access Platform (MedRAP) has called on the Ministry of Health to move beyond individual prosecutions, and instead implement comprehensive systemic reforms to address the persistent theft of medicines in health facilities.
This appeal comes in the wake of the United States Government’s decision to withdraw $50 million in health sector support, citing theft and resale of medicines intended for free public distribution.
MedRAP Executive Director, Liyoka Liyoka, believes the U.S. government’s action is a form of protest aimed at pressuring the Zambian government to take decisive steps to resolve the crisis in the health sector.
“The response by the Minister of Health, Elijah Muchima, is not sufficient to reassure the Zambian public or the donor community that government is taking appropriate action to combat the theft of medicines,” Mr. Liyoka said in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today, by MedRAP Communications Officer, Tinkerbel Mwila.
He added that government has yet to publicly confirm or deny the allegations, leaving the nation in the dark about the extent of the problem.
Mr. Liyoka has since urged government to conduct a thorough review of the entire medical supply chain, with a focus on system-wide improvements to ensure medicines reach the intended beneficiaries without diversion or loss.
Angel Kasabo
