GOVERNMENT has refuted claims that there is political interference from State House regarding operations at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency (ZAMMSA).
It has been stated that the Medical body is devoid of any political influence and runs it’s operations freely.
Government has however, echoed that it is in support of vetting of medical suppliers as this is in line with its position of assuring quality, right price, and timely delivery of goods and services.
Acting Leader of Government business Ambrose Lufuma was responding to allegations that the alleged drug shortages in the health facilities is as a result of political influence.
The allegations were raised by Lunte Member of Parliament through a matter of urgent public importance recently, in which he quoted a named Newspaper with a heading entitled “Drugs shortage is political-ZAMMSA.
In his allegations, Mr Kafwaya quoted the ZAMMSA Board Chairperson Dr Anna Chifungula as insinuating that the shortage was as a result of political will where he quoted her stating that “We were being told not to deal with that one and that one to an extent that we had to request for some office of the President officials to help us pick which one we can deal with or not.”
Mr Kafwaya further quoted the board chairperson to have insinuated her claims of drug shortages because the United Party for National Development (UPND), did not deal with certain suppliers.
Mr Kafwaya then posed a question to the Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo as to why there was failure to supervise ZAMMSA because of political influence coming from State House when millions of Zambians may die as a result of this dire need of medicines.
However, Mr Lufuma in his Acting position as the Leader of Government business through a ministerial statement in parliament clarified that there is no political influence whatsoever coming from State House that interferes with the operations of ZAMMSA.
“However, Government is in support of vetting of supplier as this is in line with government position of assuring the three key principles of quality, right price, and timely delivery of goods and services. These are principles observed by my Government and its Spending Agencies, including ZAMMSA,” he said.
Mr Lufuma, who is also the Minister of Defence outlined that therefore, the process should not be seen as the means of discrimination based on religion, tribe, ethnicity and political affiliation.
He further emphasized that the UPND Government is a Government of laws and they will govern in accordance with the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Chama South Member of Parliament Davison Mung’andu has advised Government to help create an atmosphere of internal medical manufacture and supply.
He says as a country, we keep talking of being supplied medication and other medical kits, when we can talk of progressive moves like internal manufacturing.
“As a country, we keep on talking of suppliers. If we talk, let us talk of manufactures as President Hakainde Hichilema has talked of before,” he said.
He further called for promoting of delivery of quality and equal health services in the rural areas.
In response, Mr Lufuma said the idea by Mr Mung’andu was progressive as manufacturing of medication and other health related kits can be done locally, unlike importing.
“We are looking for investors to ensure that we cut down on time to deliver,” he assured.
(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 21st June, 2023)
