Govt says it has completed procurement for the supply and delivery of essential medicines

Government says it has completed procurement for the supply and delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies budgeted at over 217, million kwacha of which delivery is expected to commence this month.

Acting Health Minister Ambrose Lufuma says an additional procurement for the supply and delivery of essential medicines budgeted at over 181, million kwacha is underway.

Mr. Lufuma says the procurement of 42,000 health center kits has been undertaken with delivery being expected in October 2022.

And Mr. Lufuma says Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency has called off orders on ministry of health contracts that were vetted and transferred to ZAMMSA.

He says from these the agency has received deliveries of pain-killer medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, blood building supplements such as folic acid, anti-hypertensive medicines, anti-diabetics and antibiotics, among others which he said have so far been delivered and distributed by ZAMMSA.

Delivering a ministerial statement on the shortage of medicines and medical supplies in public health facilities countrywide, Mr. Lufuma said immediate distribution has been carried out for the products that have been and are being received with the central stock levels still currently below 50 percent.

He says this is expected to improve in the coming weeks with the delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies, which will in turn through the agency’s last mile distribution activities, will improve the stock situation at the service delivery point.