Forensic investigation launched over misplaced medical supplies in Lusaka

Law enforcement agencies have launched a full-scale forensic investigation to determine why 61 containers of essential medical supplies were stored at a private depot.

Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Director-General, Nason Banda, reported that statements had been recorded from several key individuals in the Ministry of Health.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, Banda said the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), the depot management, the clearing agent and the shipping company have also provided statements.

“Preliminary investigations show that the Ministry of Health was allegedly unaware that the consignments from Egypt had not been delivered to ZAMMSA and were instead kept at a private depot in Lusaka,” Banda revealed.

It was found that ZAMMSA did not inform the Ministry of Health about any shipment challenges.

However, ZAMMSA was aware of the consignments and received alerts about the containers’ departure from Egypt and arrival in Zambia via Mozambique.

“We wish to establish why ZAMMSA management appeared unprepared to receive the goods despite knowing the shipment schedules,” Banda said.

Banda noted that both ZAMMSA and the Ministry of Health showed a lack of supervision, as neither made follow-ups on the consignment over the past seven months.

Banda said that the investigation would be conducted with transparency and in accordance with the law.

“We believe it is in the interest of all well-meaning Zambians to see integrity and functionality at ZAMMSA restored,” he stated.

Banda urged the public to support the efforts towards a more accountable and efficient healthcare system and cautioned stakeholders against issuing statements or engaging the media, as it could jeopardise the investigation.

“The containers of medicines and medical supplies were procured under a US$24 million agreement between the governments of Zambia and Egypt,” he added.

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