The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) is working to ensure that all healthcare facilities and hospitals across the country are equipped with adequate medicines and medical supplies. In a press statement released by the Director General of ZAMMSA, Mr. Billy Mweetwa, he confirmed that the agency has procured a number of products to meet the needs of the public health sector, including anti-hypertensive, anti-asthma, skin protection lotion for albinos, mental health medications, pain and palliative care, antibiotics, anesthesia medicines, and many other essential drugs.
“To allay any fears of drug shortages, I want to categorically confirm that ZAMMSA has procured a number of products to meet the needs of the public health sector. We have purchased sufficient Anti-hypertensive, Anti- Asthma, Skin Protection Lotion for Albinos, Mental Health Medications, Pain and Palliative Care, Antibiotics, Anesthesia Medicines and many other essential drugs,” said Mr. Mweetwa.
Mr. Mweetwa also addressed concerns from members of the public who feel that the tendering and procurement process of medicines and medical supplies takes too long. He provided a breakdown of the procurement process, stating that ZAMMSA adheres to the Zambia Public Procurement Act (ZPPA) that ensures that only medicines and medical supplies that meet the set out specifications and quantity are purchased. This is guided by the essential medicines list, which are standard treatment guidelines or protocols and specifications provided by the Ministry of Health.
“Given that, ZAMMSA is tasked with the duty that directly deals with the health of our citizens, we are wary and careful that we adhere to the ZPPA Act that ensures that we only purchase medicines and medical supplies that meet the set out specifications and quantity. This is guided by the essential medicines list, which are standard treatment guidelines or protocols and specifications provided by the Ministry of Health,” said Mr. Mweetwa.
Furthermore, Mr. Mweetwa emphasized that ZAMMSA is working hard to promote the local manufacturing industry, in order to manufacture medicines according to the needs of the public health sector. “We understand that this will help tremendously and more still, allow medicines to be manufactured according to the needs of the public health sector,” said Mr. Mweetwa. Currently, ZAMMSA, alongside the Ministry of Health and other government departments, is in Egypt exploring possibilities of medicines and medical supplies bulk procurements.
In conclusion, the Director General of ZAMMSA, Mr. Billy Mweetwa, assured the public that there is no reason to be worried about drug shortages and that the agency is committed to ensuring that all healthcare facilities and hospitals are effectively equipped with adequate medicines and medical supplies.
“It is key that we also make it very clear that we are working very hard to promote the local manufacturing industry. We understand that this will help tremendously and more still, allow medicines to be manufactured according to the needs of the public health sector. Currently, ZAMMSA alongside the Ministry of Health and other government departments, is in Egypt exploring possibilities of medicines and medical supplies bulk procurements,” said Mr. Mweetwa.
Sorry, but I don’t think this guy looks sharp or he is top drawer material to deal with this problem. It looks like his last name got him the job. Sorry to say , but it is what it is. We have drug shortages and this is just paroting nonsense
But there’s a shortage….so what fears is allaying because the fear already real.
So all senior positions have been given to people from the same tribe. Reverse Tribalism and all useful *****s are clapping. We choose the wrong person for the job to reunite Zambia…
Please can you give details of “all ” those senior positions for some of us to understand your point?
In New Doom govt, The surname matters when applying for the job. BMW must have done head hunt to pick this guy. Sir, stop hallucinating there’s acute shortage of drugs in public health facilities and the buck stops at Bally Muntu Wabufi (BMW).
Iam changing my name by deed poll to sound. I will add an extra vowel and it should sound like them and maybe I will get a job.
Tebulu Mubonde is my name. It’s going to be Tebuulu Muboonde . Close to the real deal, isn’t it?
Tatwanwe ubufi bwenu tupole go round the country with that useless statement nga mukabwelako Batata imwe
Wasnt your PF Minister of health a “Chilufya”? Wasnt your PF minister of Finance a “A bwalya”? Wanst it your PF GRZ with only Jean Kapata? Nkandu Luo? Kampyongo?Bowman Lusambo? EMily Kabanshi? Minister of Defence.
Those were Members of Parliament, tell me a Tonga, Lozi, Kaonde …who was elected MP for PF or was active in the PF who Lungu or Sata left out of appointment!! Here we are talking about appointing technocrats from some regions regardless of their incapacity to perform!