Business coalition backs Hichilema on classification of thefts in health sector as economic crime

Business Coalition Taskforce (BCT) has urged government to decisively act on the reported pilferage of medicines in the health sector.

The BCT committee said in a statement on Friday that it was appalling that despite the discovery of 30 containers filled with medicines in a privately owned warehouse attempting to plunder US$65 million, things were getting worse.

“We wish to strongly support the recent comment made by President Hakainde Hichilema regarding the unacceptable theft and plunder of medical supplies and equipment within the public health system,” the statement said.

President Hichilema had announced that the Cabinet had resolved to classify all thefts within the health sector as economic crimes as they undermined investments.

The committee questioned the dubious procurement process for US$13 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF) ambulances of which only 11 out of 156 had been delivered and now being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) .

It stated that this was an international embarrassment like the US$42 million fire engine tender.

“BCT asks what these investigative bodies including Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) who flagged an incredulous first quarter US$2.26 billion of fraudulent activities, tax evasion and tainted trade operations and illicit mining are actually delivering prosecution and proceeds of crime? ” the committee wondered.

They urged the Secretary to the Cabinet to take immediate action to apprehend and raise criminal charges against the culprits to restore order and trust in the health sector.

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