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The government has launched investigations into alleged gross mismanagement and possible criminal negligence concerning the acquisition of medicine at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).
Health Minister, Sylvia Masebo, revealed that government signed a contract in August 2023 with the Unified Procurement Authority of Egypt, which included cost insurance and freight to the ZAMMSA yard.
In a ministerial statement to Parliament on Wednesday, Masebo stated that the first delivery, received in October 2023, was air-freighted to ZAMMSA via Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
This consignment arrived as per contract without any additional charges. As part of the bulk procurement agreement, ZAMMSA received the second shipment from UPA, consisting of 16 containers, in January 2024.
“These containers, which included Intravenous (IV) Fluids and Syringes, were delivered to ZAMMSA but were not offloaded. Instead, the transporter took them to a depot in Makeni called J and J,” Masebo reported.
She noted that the 16 containers remained at the depot until last week Friday.
Additionally, in April 2024, ZAMMSA received a third consignment of 20 containers of assorted medical supplies, of which only 13 were offloaded at ZAMMSA while 7 were diverted to J and J.
“This brings the total number of containers to 23. The fourth consignment of 38 containers of assorted essential medicines arrived in June 2024,” she highlighted.
Masebo disclosed that this consignment was again not delivered to the ZAMMSA warehouse but was directly distributed to the J and J depot by the transporter.
This brought the total number of containers received to 74, with only 13 having been offloaded at ZAMMSA from the second consignment.
“The remaining 61 containers were still at the J and J depot until Friday, July 12, 2024, when the Ministry of Health was made aware and intervened,” Masebo said.
Currently, the containers are being transported from the J and J depot to ZAMMSA using Zambia National Service trucks, with the exercise expected to be completed within 10-15 days.
“The second, third, and fourth consignments were transported by sea, facing notable transportation delays in Beira, Chirundu, and at the ZAMMSA warehouse,” Masebo stated.
She added that upon fully understanding the issue, ZAMMSA was called to thoroughly review the matter.
It became clear there was gross mismanagement and negligence bordering on possible criminality.
The matter has been reported to law enforcement agencies.
On the procurement of health center kits, Masebo stated that the process was completed and Mission Pharma was identified as the supplier.
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