PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said the country has sufficient stocks of drugs but administrative lapses are responsible for the artificial shortage being experienced in some health centres.
Mr Banda said in Lusaka yesterday that on many occasions, Medical Stores Limited and some hospitals and clinics had failed to effectively communicate, resulting in shortages of drugs.
He challenged newly-appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Peter Mwaba to sort out the administrative problems in the health sector that had led to such problems.
Speaking when he swore in Dr Mwaba at State House, President Banda said the country had sufficient stocks of drugs but because of administrative problems, some health institutions could not access the medicines.
Everyday we read in the newspapers of missing drugs and when we carry out our own investigations we find that the drugs are there. The Government has provided adequate resources for drugs.
We shall count on you to ensure that the drugs are given. Use your knife to operate on people and use that knife to work on the administration in the ministry. Operate using your knife to move people where they are suitable,” Mr Banda said.
He said the Ministry of Health was one of the key institutions in the country, hence the need to be run by competent people.
The president noted that it was a daunting task for appointing authorities to find suitable people to effectively run the ministry.
President Banda said Dr Mwaba had vast experience in running health institutions and he was optimistic that he would not fail the citizens.
Until his appointment, Dr Mwaba was University Teaching Hospital (UTH) managing director.
He said Dr Mwaba had been given the mandate to run the Ministry of Health and should run it effectively just like he managed UTH.
The selection for people to lead this ministry is a serious task. One has to be careful and I am happy that I have finally appointed you. You are a public man and this appointment is after wide consultations,” Mr Banda said.
He said Dr Mwaba was able to transform the UTH even under difficult circumstances, and that currently, UTH was one of the best and dignified health institutions in the country.
You provided leadership at the UTH and your choice will see drastic changes at the ministry. It is a huge ministry and so you have to assist the minister and everybody,” Mr Banda said.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Job well done Boss. Thats the way to go. We want development and we can see that the MMD means development. Congrates new PS. We can count on your experiance
Mwaba? – He is one arrogant and cantenkerous chap – with very little regard for patients. Only interested in advancing career
Where has Dr. Velepi Mtonga gone? Does anyone know?
LT your reporting?????
you should have told us where the former PS has gone but……………..
be better next time.:o:o:o:((:d
It beats me how an elderly person such as the President can use an important forum such as the press briefing he had in Ndola for telling lies just to ensure his stay in office. The audit he promised us has failed so he chose to portray that the opposition councils have been spending money on luxuries. The MMD controlled councils such as Kalulushi have got bigger and more expensive vehicles than Councils like Kitwe and Ndola which are bigger. Kalulushi Council can even afford the luxury of installing Dstv in their offices which is not the case with the PF controlled Councils. As for the sale of Itawa flats and Chinese Complex in Ndola, instead of instructing the Council to sell these building why cant he himself sell them. He knows that there are issues concerning these two areas
As for the sale of Itawa flats and Chinese Complex in Ndola, instead of instructing the Council to sell these building why cant he himself sell them. He knows that there are issues concerning these two areas so he wants to make the impression that it the council which is the obstacle. Mr. President your tact is as transparent as water so you cannot fool us.
Dr Mwaba is one of the most proven and hard working physicians in Zambia. Ambitious? Yes. But not arrogant. I only fear that by becoming PS his contributions will be missed in patient care. Congratulations.
@lulu de silva. I believe he will be up to the challenge. I hear so many good things about Dr Mwaba.
Ambitious – for power/position perhaps but not patient care. What sort of Dr makes appointments for patients and never turns up – time and time again? In the end the patients give up saying – “Dr is too busy to see me”. Perhaps “good things” have happened in other areas that “you have heard” about BUT this is what I know from experience.
Right man for the job.Congrants!
‘Peter Mwaba, do you love me? Jesus asked you three times…
‘Yes Lord, you know that I love you’
‘Then Feed my sheep’ Jesus says…’Do not steal from my sheep like Miti did’
Blessings in your new challenge/assignment. I will pray for you.
I’m so happy for Dr Mwaba, eyee Ba Peter way to go, i still remember your smile at UTH. Pliz do all your level best and prove them wrong, i know you have a kind heart and you’re a nice man. God bless you and guide you always.