Govt wants SMAGs copyright issue concluded quickly -MoH

Government says it is giving all the necessary attention to the alleged infringement upon the copyright of the Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs), a private invention it has adopted.

The inventor, Beck Banda, who is a public health expert, has accused the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Vision for using SMAGs without his express permission.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for administration Kennedy Malama says government is already working closely with all UN agencies that have been accused of infringing upon the copyright of SMAGs.

Dr. Malama has also acknowledged that there has been some correspondence between the Ministry of Health and Dr. Banda over the genesis of SMAGs and its invention.

In an interview with QTV News by telephone Dr. Malama says being the key stakeholder in this issue, the Ministry of Health hopes that it can quickly resolve this matter.

Dr. Malama says his Ministry is very interested in ensuring that this matter is put to rest, adding that his Ministry is aware that Dr. Banda has lawyers who are representing him in this matter.

He states that Dr. Banda and all other interested parties should, in this case, be assured that this matter is receiving the necessary attention and will be brought to closure in the shortest possible time.