The Medical Stores Limited (MSL) board has assured of credible medical supply which it says is critical and of major concern for the stakeholders.
MSL Vice Board Chairperson James Kapesa told journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka today that MSL has standard operating procedures that require commodities issued to be of a high-quality standard.
Mr. Kapesa said if there is a diversion from quality as it happened in the recent past, there is a need to address the matter with the required speed.
“MSL’s principal activity is the storage and distribution of efficacious and safe medicines and medical products to the public health facilities.
In view of what happened in the recent past, action has been taken to ensure that remedy is done according to the provisions of the law,” he said
He said the board met and resolved to speed up the transition talks to enable the transfer from Medical Stores Limited to Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).
He said the transition will initiate structural and organizational changes that will make the new ZAMMSA a performance-based agency.
“A Drug Fund is also being set up as a sure and tested approach to ensure commodity reliability, financing and security all along the value chain from Patient to the Hospital Bedside,” he said.
He said the board also agreed to strengthen the whistleblower mechanism to encourage an atmosphere of transparency.
“The board reviewed the Inspection and Laboratory Protocols and will enhance this with more investments in staff, finances, and training,” he said
The Vice Board Chairperson also disclosed that the board made changes at top management which saw the Medical Stores Ltd Managing Director, Chikuta Mbewe being relieved of his duties, with immediate effect.
Mr Kapesa said that the dismissal of Mr. Mbewe as well as the review of internal operating procedures at Medical Stores, are a result of the recent happenings.
He said the Director of Programmes at MSL, Chipopa Kazuma will act as Managing Director until the next board meeting which will either approve his appointment or appoint another person to take over the position.
Bees sting. Bees in honey sting even more!
Thank you sirs
There’s a lot of work to be done to restore public confidence..but we are hopeful that with the decisions made so far the right thing will be done
how come all these firings in public health are not tallying with the wheels of justice.
With elections around the corner, so many heads will roll. Kanganja is going in July. He will go into a diplomatic post. The new appointee will be shivering.
Vice Board Chairperson. Board Vice Chairperson. Board Chairperson Vice… Uko!!
We are certain the cleaning of the system will bring about positive change
Firing them isnt enough. They will just go and enjoy their money that they may have questionably acquired.
Investigate them for possible abuse of office.
We trust this was the right decision
Good you will encourage transparency
AN OXYMORONIC STATEMENT IS ONE IN WHICH APPARENTLY CONTRADICTORY THOUGHTS APPEAR TOGETHER.
THIS IS WHAT THE BOARD CHAIR UTTERED.
MEDICAL PROCUREMENT AND PROVISION IS A TOTAL DISASTER.
Where was this selfsame board when all this was happening…Chilufya handpicked these guys so long as this is the case nothing will change, as the Minister can simply dissolve the board. Same toilet…different sh#t.
Knee jerk reactions by lungu , because the swirle of public opinion on social media is swamping him……..
A little too late sir, you should have been fighting corruption from day one…..
Lungu went to town stealing in his first 5 years , only now he is trying to show he is not stealing , but the everyone around him has seen how it is done, as lead by state house.
Good appointment, Mr. Kazuma is capable of running Medical Stores with excellency. He is qualified for the job, and above all he is disciplined, dedicated, hard working with a transparent/traceable background/profile. Medical stores will really excel under his directorship.
We hope reliable medical supply is what we will have
The President is sweeping clean the entire system…. everyone will have to account…
Well done on the decision which is part of the health sector clean up exercise
so SAD A CHASSA ALUMINI IS FIRED BUT ANYWAY ONE GOES ANOTHER ONE APPOINTED AS PS LOCAL GOVERNMENT SO WE ARE STILL RAISING THE FLAG OF CHASSA BOYS. GOOD LUCK BO MBEW CHIKUTA ZAMBEZI HOUSE
Meanwhile, the suppliers of substandard medicine and medical kits are free and roaming around the streets.
Unfair dismissal …The MD was working under instructions from PS MOH..
Who can ignore or refuse your superiors instructions ??
Wish Mr Chikuta Mbewe well – when one door closes another opens!
Well the entire Board should be kicked out. Did they go to sleep when the Director was stuffing up? The board really are culpable and can’t exonerate themselves. Crazy!
He was working under instructions,,