Chief Government spokesperson Chushi Kasanda has described the drug situation in Western Province as stable.
Speaking after touring Zambia Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMSA)- Mongu Medical Stores, Ms Kasanda said the drug situation in the Western province is now stable.
Ms Kasanda, who is also Information and Media Minister, said the medical stores are now equipped with essential drugs and distribution to other health facilities in the province has since commenced.
“We are happy that the provincial medical stores are now equipped and this is a plus to the government because this is a challenge that the Ministry of Health has been facing,” she said.
Ms Kasanda said the new dawn government is committed to ensuring that health services are made available in all health centres in the country.
The distribution of drugs is ongoing. Countrywide.
And ZAMSA Mongu Hub Manager for Western region Nayoto Namataa explained that the distribution of drugs to all the 16 districts in the province is underway.
Ms Namataa who was found at the medical stores says trucks destined to Mitete and Lukulu districts says the consignment for Limulunga, Kalabo, Sioma and Sesheke districts were dispatched early morning today.
“We are now loading the third truck taking medicine to Mitete and Lukulu districts after seeing off those that were going to Limulunga and three other districts,” she mentioned.
And Western Province Health Director Francis Liywali said the government is concerned with the welfare of the people hence it has to move very quickly to ensure that all essential drugs are provided.
Dr Liywali notes that the current drug stock is able to last for three months.
“We can confirm that at some point we had experienced a shortage of drugs but now the situation has been normalised,” he stated.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso has commended the government for responding to the concerns of the people, country wide.
The distribution of drugs under the Ministry of Health is an on-going exercise across the country.
Meanwhile, Muchinga Province has received the first consignment of essential drugs and medical supplies at the Mpika Hub in Muchinga Province.
Muchinga Province Chief Pharmacist Malama Malema said that the Province has so far received Forty Five (45) tonnes of medicines through Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) and more consignments are expected in the province soon.
Mr Malama in an interview added that the Mpika Hub services Muchinga and parts of Northern province and that the drugs will be distributed to Eight districts in Muchinga Province.
” The medicines will be distributed to Eight districts, that is Lavushimanda, Mpika, Kanchibiya, Shiwang’andu, Chinsali, Isoka, Mafinga and Nakonde districts,” said Mr Malama.
The provincial Chief Pharmacist further said that the medicines received are for a month’s stock assuring that more consignments will be received soon.
He said that all the district’s in the province will receive their essential medicines and medical supplies by Wednesday this week.
Mr Malema disclosed that the distribution of the medicines in the province is a fulfilment of the pronouncement by the Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo that medicines will be distributed in different provinces in the country.
And Mpika Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) Manager, Ivy Mwanza says medicines will start being distributed to the different facilities tomorrow.
Ms. Mwanza has urged the facilities to ensure that commodities are received correctly and stored according to standard.
“I urge every pharmacy personnel to ensure that commodities are handled well and that everything is given to the patients”, said Ms. Mwanza.
She added that pharmacy personnel should ensure maximum security and that medicines reach the intended persons.
Two-nye?
This should be as normal as breathing. It’s not something to blow trumpets about it like you are doing us a favor.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER PROVINCES ??
I can assure a delivery was done urgently before the HH visit
This sort of reporting by you is tribal
I say this because you are singling out one province
This is going to the downfall of your party
Again I say HH should remove these erring ministers and spokepersons not competant in their duties
This drug trade in Zambia is getting out of hand
@Deja Ju: How can it be as normal as breathing when you PF stoogies who left to continue serving in Gvnmnt looted all the drugs to your own private pharmacies and later turn around to vuvuzela of drug shortage? When you are the ones that store the same drugs. I think the minister now needs to just fire as long as you served under LUNGU and PF. No need to ask questions, just the national payrol,who is appears on there since 2years ago or more – Fire! Just FIRE! you see now these cadres are playing ichi dunu with you New Dawn GRZ. Fire bane-Fire!
Failure to plan is planning to fail.