K166 Million Worth Of Drugs Didn’t Reach Hospitals After Dispatch

The Ministry of Health audit of accounts for 2020 has revealed that medical supplies and drugs equating to over K166 million did not reach their chosen destinations.

The audit revealed that drugs which had been dispatched from Medical Stores Limited never reached their designated hospitals as of April 30 2021.

The affected stations of the undelivered drugs include Chinsali General Hospital, Nakonde and Mumbwa District Hospitals, Kitwe Teaching Hospital, Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital, Mazabuka General Hospital, Kawambwa District Hospital, Lewanika General Hospital, Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, Matero 1st Level Hospital, among others. 

As a result of the missing drugs and supplies, such medical stations are now suffering with insufficient drugs for patients.

Not only has the audit revealed missing drugs, it has also outlined the acquisition of medical kits by Lewanika General Hospital from Medical Stores Limited which, on arrival, were out of date and therefore could not be used. 

An additional K40million worth of drugs and medical supplies from Medical Stores Limited have also not been accounted for, the audit found.

On discussing the matter through his Facebook page, United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema, has noted the government’s poor allocation of money towards drugs which were never received. 

“Doctors need K150 million, Government spends K166 million on drugs that were never delivered,” Mr Hichilema wrote. 

His comments follows recent reports which outline that doctors are owed salary arrears totalling K150million by the government.

Photo: MSL Website