MINISTER OF HEALTH UNVEILS ACTING ZAMMSA DG, CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND STRONGER CONTROLS
Minister of Health Dr. Elijah Muchima has introduced Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) Acting Director General Jane Banda, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability as the agency undergoes management changes.
The Minister has acknowledged challenges such as wastage, expired drugs, gaps in consumption monitoring, damaged financial servers, and public concerns over weak controls.
He has directed ZAMMSA to strengthen inspection mechanisms, create a financial dashboard, ensure timely audits, and order medical supplies according to station requirements without adding commodities locally produced in order to promote domestic pharmaceutical industries.
He further cautioned against procuring substandard drugs, urged proper planning to avoid overstocking that creates opportunities for theft.
And meanwhile Dr Muchima has given up to December for the remaining 37 ambulances to be delivered so that all the constituencies can benefit.
He says cancellation of the contract at this time may not be the best way but wait for the delivery.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
