Reshuffling Alone Cannot Fix the Problem- Zambia’s Medicine Scandal Exposed Deeper Rot
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has announced a ministerial reshuffle, transferring Honourable Sylvia.T. Masebo, MP to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Honourable Elijah Muchima MP to the Ministry of Health. This decision comes in the wake of a massive scandal that has rocked the country’s healthcare system, exposing deep-rooted issues within the public health supply chain.
The scandal centers around an alleged $65 million shipment (which is now being reduced on figures) of medicines and medical equipment that has been left to waste away in Zambia since February 2023. The procurement process was plagued by irregularities, with the government falsely claiming it was a government-to-government arrangement, bypassing proper tender procedures.
The medicines and surgical equipment were procured from the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement Medical Agency (UPA), an intermediary that is not a manufacturer of such products. The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) was forced to approve a single-sourcing procurement, allowing the Ministry of Health and the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) to pay UPA $70 million, including a 7% commission.
However, the shipment of medicines and medical supplies has been stranded since February 2024, with ZAMMSA and the Ministry of Health failing to provide the necessary funds for their clearance at the border. This has led to the shocking discovery of 61 containers of the medicines and equipment at a private depot in Lusaka, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the public health supply chain.
In response to this scandal, the ZAMMSA Board has suspended the Director General, Mr. Victor Nyasulu, with immediate effect. This action is seen as a step in the right direction, but many believe that the problem runs much deeper.
President Hichilema’s decision to reshuffle the ministers involved in this scandal is a move that has us still boiled in skepticism. We argue that simply reshuffling the ministers does not solve the underlying rot within the system. Instead, we believe that those in top positions should be removed from their ministerial positions to allow for an impartial investigation into the matter.
This scandal is just the tip of the iceberg, a recent USAID Audit Report has revealed that only 10-15% of the millions of dollars in medicine and medical supply procurements actually reach health centers, clinics, and hospitals in Zambia. Reshuffling the ministers does not address the core problem – the system is rotten, and those at the top should be held accountable.
We are calling for a thorough, impartial investigation into the matter, with the perpetrators of this scandal being brought to justice. We believe that until the underlying issues are addressed, the healthcare system in Zambia will continue to suffer, and the well-being of its citizens will be compromised.
The Zambian government must act swiftly and decisively to restore public trust and ensure that the country’s healthcare system is equipped to serve the needs of its people. Mere reshuffling of ministers will not suffice – a comprehensive overhaul of the system and the removal of those responsible for this scandal is the only way forward.
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21st July, 2024.
Reshuffling Alone Cannot Fix the Problem- Zambia’s Medicine Scandal Exposed Deeper Rot
