Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde has attributed the recent shortage of essential medicines in some health centres in Lusaka to poor information management regarding stocks available between Medical Stores Limited and the affected health facilities.
Dr Kasonde has told Parliament in a ministerial statement this morning that the poor supply chain and the pilferage of drugs also contributed to the shortages of medicines in health facilities.
He says medicines meant for the public health system end up in wrong hands through a few selfish individuals including health workers.
Dr Kasonde states that medicines clearly government owned are being sold openly to the unsuspecting members of the public.
The Health Minister says in order to address the pilferage of medical drugs government is intensifying its surveillance and monitoring system for essential medicines.