By Mubanga Mubanga
Minister of Health Alex Katekwa has called on the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to urgently institute investigations into workers who has been suspended from Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency (ZAMMSA).
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Katenkwa said the government will not tolerate inefficiency, negligence or any form of misconduct in the management of medicines and medical supplies.
“In this regard, I am calling upon the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission to urgently institute investigations into matters concerning the suspended officers at ZAMMSA. Let me be clear: This Government will not tolerate inefficiency, negligence, or any form of misconduct in the management of medicines and medical supplies,” Katekwa said. “Access to essential medicines and medical supplies remains a top national priority. Ensuring that medicines reach the last mile, every clinic, every health center, and every community, is non-negotiable. Any obstacle standing in the way of this objective will be addressed firmly and decisively.”
Meanwhile, Katekwa announced that the government had revoked the appointment of Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia president Keagan Mwape from the board of ZAMMSA.
He said the move was done in order to improve performance and safeguard public resources.
“In our continued effort to improve performance and safeguard public resources, I have, with immediate effect, revoked the appointment of Mr. Keagan Mwape,” Katekwa said. “The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia is hereby requested to nominate another representative in accordance with the provisions of its governing Act.”
Katekwa further announced the suspension with immediate effect, the manager for procurement of medicines, Justine Mulimo, senior procurement Officer Diana Musa, senior procurement officer Brian Mununka among others management officers.
He said the move was taken in order to strengthen procurement systems and ensure timely delivery of medicines.
”Mr. Justine Mulimo; Manager Procurement Medicines and currently Acting Director Procurement has been suspended with immediate effect and replaced with: Ms. Millimo Katongo; Manager Procurement – Goods who will act as director procurement. Ms. Diana Musa; senior procurement officer and currently Acting Manager Medicines has been suspended with immediate effect and replaced with; Mr. Julius Njobvu; senior officer procurement who will act as manager procurement medicines,” said Katekwa. “Mr. Brian Mununka; senior officer procurement, has been suspended with immediate effect and replaced with Mr. Rodney Simuchimba; procurement officer who will act as senior officer procurement – Medicines Ms. Rachel Msimuko; senior manager supply and planning and currently acting director supply planning has been suspended with immediate effect.”
