Dr Chinomba faces K10mil drug theft rap: Malawi Police confirm arrest of Chiradzulu DHO

Malawi Police in Chiradzulu have arrested a top most head of district public health services in connection with the theft of K10 million medical drugs.

Drug pilferage common in public hospitals
Drug pilferage common in public hospitals

Chiradzulu district police public relations officer Victoria Chirwa confirmed the arrest of Dr Sten Gift Chinomba, aged 30, from Mpowola Village in the area of Traditional Authority [T/A] Kuntumanji in Zomba. He was arrested on Monday.

The public relations officer said the police are questioning Chinomba in connection with the K10 million drug thefts at the hospital which serves people of Chiradzulu as well as some areas of Blantyre and Zomba.

His arrest follows the arrest of a driver and pharmicist at the hospital three weeks ago in connection with the theft.

Chinomba becomes the first district health officer in Malawi to be netted in connection with drug theft as in the past only juniors to the level of medical assistants or pharmacy personnel were the only ones arrested.

The arrest of Chinomba comes at a time when Malawians are expressing concern over acute shortages of medical drugs in public hospitals, including malaria drug, LA, which is supposed to be in abundance as it is donated by the US government.

Chinomba’s arrest  also comes a month after the government interdicted 1000 health workers at Capital Hill, the seat of government for embezzling US funded K2.5 billion meant for HIV and AIDS programmes.

There suggestions from cooperating partners that the Ministry of Health should submit amendments to parliament on the Pharmacies, Medicines and Poisons Board Act in order to stiffen penalties for theft of medicine.

President Peter Mutharika said government has empowered hospitals and health advisory committees to ensure community ownership of supplies to reduce pilferage.

Malawi has a hotline which people can anonymously tip off authorities about cases of theft of malaria drugs in a drive to curb pilferage.

The hotlines 800 00 847 from land lines and 847 from mobile networks were jointly launched by the United States of America (USA) government through USaid and Global fund alongside Malawi Government.

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LITTLE BIRD
LITTLE BIRD
7 years ago

This is about what happened at Chiradzulu Hospital but go to Chiradzulu district assembly and see for yourself. I was once at the hub of the district Assembly where I could see for myself how accounts assistants enrich themselves more than the officers who have really been to school. You can be shocked, seeing account clerk having a fleet of vehicles and very decent houses being erected in Blantyre. You can even ask yourself that, where is the said ACB? Are we really serious when we talk of “Cashgate-Free Nation?” I have been there and if you don’t believe go… Read more »

gulugunya
gulugunya
7 years ago

Sterns Chinomba was here at the college for training doctors. The guy was looking like some body coming from poor family but he was leading an adopted higher life standards. No wonder he can not keep drugs as DHO. Not at all. He is womanizer. He likes better life all the times. Stealing could be one of his option in order to sustain his expensive life.

Kanyimbi
Kanyimbi
7 years ago

Well done people of C hiradzulu. Malawians lets make the public workers to know that this country belongs to Malawians.

Mafuka Utsi Palimomoto
Mafuka Utsi Palimomoto
7 years ago

Ujeni Phiri, should not pretend that the Police are acting in bad faith nor political. The Health Sector is a lifeline for all Malawians and the poor needs to be given priority. Why should Phiri politicise the actions of the Police. Any good leader whether politician or anyone else needs to consider the suffering of the most vulnerable in our society when it comes to developing effective and efficient policies. Let us stop politicizing everything but rather be mature in everything that we put forward rather than suggestions that lead us to no where. I am saying all this with… Read more »

mathanyula
mathanyula
7 years ago

Kodi mukumangoipitsa mbiri ya anthu pamene ichi chopanda manochi, chooneka ngati ng’ona kwinaku chokhala ngati chilibe thako mukubgochisiya bwanji. Kapena nanunso mumachipuputa chikachoka ku toilet et.chinthu chakubelani ma billioni inu mungoti mano mwee. Zopusa basi

Omex70
Omex70
7 years ago

Zipatala za ku madera akumidzi zili pa mavuto akulu. Chitsanzo ndi chipatala chaching’ono cha Namanja mboma la Machinga nthawi zonse abale anga kumeneko akadwala amadandaula kuti abwerera ati mankhwala kulibe. Ndiye ndimadabwa nthawi zonse akamati mankhwala kulibe kodi zipatala ngati zimenezi sizilandilandira mankhwala kapena chani. Kodi mwina ogwira ntchito kumeneko amatengerapo mwayi wakuti ndi ku midzi palibe amene angachitepo kanthu. Sindikumvetsa chomwe chikuchitika popeza ndimangolandira mareport oterewa ndili kutali.

Ujeni Phiri
Ujeni Phiri
7 years ago

Lets not be too quick to judge him as the mater is still in court. Those who know the truth about this story could agree with me that his arrest is politically influenced by councillors and other senior politicians in the district as a personal vandetta on the guy. This is not the first time these greedy polititians have influenced the arrest of a senior civil servant in the district. you should wander why police could come all the way from Lilongwe police headquarters to arrest someone in Chiradzulu when there is a police station in Chiradzulu and and Regional… Read more »

alfred wa nambwale
alfred wa nambwale
7 years ago

akanyongedwe basi osamunyengelera

kamps
kamps
7 years ago

Mwembwe usamale ndiwe wausilu usamayankhule zinthu zopanda umboni.savalge

Dr Jokes
Dr Jokes
7 years ago

This is pathetic!What kind of greed do these people have?Has he no conscious?Pschopath!

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