By: Lloyd M’bwana
In a bid to combat rampant drug theft in public health facilities stores, the Ministry of Health is embarking the project in installing CCTV cameras which will enable authorities tracking down those in involved in the malpractice.
The development comes barely few days after the United States government’s office in Malawi through its Ambassador Virginia Palmer expressed sadness over continue stealing of medical drugs in the country’s public hospitals threatening to stop supplying them in next month if the condition was not to improve.
Reports are rife that medical drugs her government was offering to Malawi meant for free distribution to the needy in public health facilities were being stolen and sold in markets which the Malawi government admitted that about 25% of medical drugs in public hospitals are being stolen and suggested changes in existing laws as a
strategic measure in addressing the hiccup.
Speaking in an interview with the local radio, Zodiak on Thursday, November 5, Adrian Chikumbe Ministry of Health (MoH)’s Spokesperson revealed that installation of CCTV cameras’ first phase started with Central Medical Stores which central hospitals will follow before rolling it out to all district hospitals.
“Malawi government is serious in combating drugs theft in public hospitals this is the reason we are embarking the long term project in installing CCTV cameras in all places our drugs are stored starting with Central Medical Stores which central hospitals will follow before it’s done in district hospitals.
“We cannot disclose the budget to this arrangement as discussions are still underway with the partner who has shown interest to help us to carry out this task. We are not doing this exercise in responding to the US Ambassador Virginia Palmer reaction on drug theft but rather a zeal and vigilant to end the malpractice”, assures Chikumbe.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, November 5, 2015, Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board released and published names of individuals in the local newspaper caught in stealing public drugs from January to September 2015 which among them their cases are in various courts across the nation.
The however is appealing to the general public to be vigilant and report those involved in illegal sales of medicine and medical products in streets.
“The Pharmacy, medicines and poisons board urges the general public to be vigilant and report all those that are dealing in illegal sales of medicine and medical products in streets and suspicious premises such as houses. Most of the times these medicines supplies are stolen from the public hospitals and health centres where Malawi residents are supposed to get them free of charge”, reads the statement
