Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo has challenged the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) on drug supplies to unlock the existing hard holes in the ministry.
Ms. Masebo urged the unit to address the amendment of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) Act and the Zambia Pubic Procurement Act (ZPPA) which she says are pieces of legislation that prolong the process of drug procurement.
She notes that there is need to treat issues to do with medical drug procurement with the urgency they deserve.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said this today when she visited the Presidential Delivery Unit on Drug Supplies, who are holding a workshop to address challenges surrounding medical drug supply in the country.
Ms. Masebo stated that the unit needs to ensure that all these challenges are addressed, by coming up with resolutions that will help reduce the procurement process of drugs.
“As you meet here, am urging you to unlock these challenges that have continued to frustrate the operations of the ministry. Please address the issues of amending these legislative acts that are holding the procurement of health equipment. I can give an example, we were supposed to procure 100 ambulances but the acts of legislative do not allow us to do so. It has been over a year now we have not yet procured them.” Ms. Masebo noted.”
Ms. Masebo explained that the ministry is so critical, as it deals with human beings, adding that some of the long procedures gravely affect operations.
And PDU on Drug and Supplies team member Christopher. Matipa notes that the team has been meeting to deliberate on issues to do with drug supplies.
Mr. Matipa states that the team has 14 major challenges that have been identified for derailing the supply of drugs in the country, adding that 22 solutions have so far been identified.
He said by the end of the gathering, more solutions relating to drug supply will be identified and solutions will also be implemented for a better drug supply chain in the country.
Meanwhile, PDU on Drugs and Supply deputy chairperson Chipo Mwanawasa has thanked the minister for the timely advice, adding that the team will ensure that the issues that the minister has brought forward are addressed.
