Health Minister Joseph Kasonde says it is unacceptable to have drug shortages in health facilities.
Dr Kasonde said this is because Medical Stores has sufficient stocks of drugs to ensure a steady supply to all health institutions in the country.
Dr Kasonde said this when he inspected a newly constructed maternity wing at Kalabwe Health Post in Mporokoso.
He said government in the current budgetary allocation for drug purchases does not warrant a shortage because government has tripled allocation since 2012.
He said the allocation for the purchase of drugs in the national budget increased from about K200 million in 2011 to over K750 million at present.
The Health Minister urged health workers not to treat drug shortage as an acceptable occurrence.
Dr Kasonde also revealed that he has engaged Medical Stores Limited on what mechanism can be devised to ensure a constant drug supply to health facilities.
The Health Minister is in Northern Province to inspect health infrastructure as well as drug stock levels at health facilities.
Unfortunately, majority learned Zambians are disappointment. Their attitude towards work is very pathetic. We are very self persons under the pretence of christianity. Most of the Zambian healthy practioners have opened utu ndembas for drugs and this is where all drugs are being dispensed. Yes the PF givt has trippled the national budget on drugs and why should we continue experiencing shortages??? Mwe bena Zambia???
There is NO proper leadership under PF thats why even them selves wonder why things are not being done properly.
PF and its minions has itself to blame for all these malpractices in the delivery of public services.
Zambians did not vote PF in order for the people themselves to provide leadership in crucial areas of concern but for the PF to lead and provide solutions because it is the one managing taxes they collect from the citizens. If it was not for the fact that PF is in government to lead Zambians, all the loans they are getting left right and centre would not be given to them.
The only blame I can apportion to the people of Zambia is their inability to see and realise that PF is simply a bunch of f00lish liars using Zambians to enrich them selves.
Next time vote wisely.
This idoit of a minister should just admit that all the money earmarked for purchasing and distribution of drugs has been used to buy votes in the by elections.
There is more to come because no one is willing to lend more money to Zambia because PF is failing to honour debt obligations to the lenders.
Only UPND and HH will restore Zambia and bring sanity to all government departments.
So next time Vote UPND and HH.
Political rhetoric or fact? When are such things going to end in Zambia, where the Minister sees the drugs, but the hospitals do not? Fire the people responsible for the supply chain management, or the Minister – whoever is found wanting!
It is either a culture of denial or sheer incompetence on those whose job it is to oversee the drug availability ( and medical services in general). Where does the buck stop?
Bwana minister stop politicking.just wasting patients time.
In the first place if there are drug shortages ,it is because there is no money why?Costly by elections since your tribal party came into power.
secondly ,Train your head of institutions together with the heads of pharmacy in logistics and Supply Chain Management.If they are trained and not performing then FIRE THEM!
Recycled politicians and pseudo-professionals think it is fine to repeat rhetoric. This line has been the norm from around the 70s as far as I can recollect. The question always is these guys jump from one party to the next and repeat the same nons.ense. Do something honest and tangible FOR ONCE IN YOUR FCUKING LIVES!!
The problem started with the so called profesionals who went to sku to learn how to steal. phamsists and accountants have taken our country back ward
SHAME ON YOU THIEVES OF OUR DRUGS. you can agree with sata to have faith in old pipo becoz ba youth ubungo. why insulting pipo when you know where our medicine go?
This shows lack of management from the top at the Ministry, leadership has to flow in all sections this story of no medicine won’t end now most of the hospitals and clinics are giving PANADO for non related sickness because that’s what is available its not acceptable
PF dismantled MMD after the elections to neutralize any threat to their hopeless type of governance. Dr. Kasonde was brought in from WHO but this man does not concentrate on work.
He instead spends most of his time supervising the construction of his children’s houses during working hours.
MR MINISTER, WHO ARE YOU TELLING THAT ITS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE NO DRUGS IN HOSPITAL????
nearly all health facilities lack drugs, does it really add up with statement sir?
Bwana minister train your staff in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.If they are trained then they are incompetent and the simple solution is FIRE THEM !
This *****ic minister should talk to himself quietly. He is responsible for the ministry and he cannot blame somebody junior who he is supposed to supervise. Doesn’t he know management??? Kasonde himself is responsible for the mess in the Health ministry.
The same aid , health practitioner, they are the ones selling the drugs ku tuntemba.
This should checked once and for all. We know them, they say we are not paid enough
And that is the more reason, we should our share.