US threatens to pull out malaria drug aid package to Malawi

US government has threatened to pull out malaria drug aid package in public hospitals unless the Malawi government takes serious action on theft of the medicine.

Zeimer and US Ambassador Virginia adressing the press in Lilongwe
Zeimer and US Ambassador Virginia adressing the press in Lilongwe
Rear Admiral Tim Zeimer
Rear Admiral Tim Zeimer

Virginia Palmer, US ambassador to Malawi sounded the warning Tuesday afternoon at a news briefing in Lilongwe.

Palmer did not mince words but directly attacked the Malawi government for its passiveness on drug theft in public hospitals which she said is now reaching alarming levels.

“We want to see perpetrators locked up, we want to see officials involved fired not transferring them to other hospital,” said Palmer.

If implemented, the move would risk over six million Malawians, especially children who get the free malaria medicine in public hospitals.

“I dont think the American tax payer would be happy to see the medicine they are funding are found on shop shelves for sale,” she said.

The US provides 95 % of all malaria medicine in public hospitals in Malawi through the President Malaria Initiative and if America stops supplying the medicine, the situation would worsen the already crippled health facilities hit by the worst economic situation.

Research shows that 25 per cent of medial drugs in public hospitals are stolen, usually by members of staff who connive with owners of private hospitals.

Palmer explained that her government will stop supplying the malaria drug to hospitals hit most by theft.

“We want to see better accountability of the medicine,” she said.

At least 6.3m Malawians had malaria last year alone

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mukharapwiyo
8 years ago

Unfortunately Few Would Take Heed Of This.Can Anybody Think About This: assume you have a relative who don’t have money,food,and her/his house collapsed due to heavy rains, is sleeping in a tent right now,have 9 children btwn 19 to 1 years old.relative sends SOS to you.u send K22,000.If u hear that bcoz of this money your relative has started drinking heavily,involved in juga,is procuring other partners for sex,has bought latest mode of cellphone would u be happy.if we say no strings shd be attached aren’t we the same people who tell our children not to misuse pocket money when they… Read more »

masa masina
masa masina
8 years ago

Yes! go a head and cut off the aid. The poor(6m) or free raiders should learn to look after themselves. It is not fair that 500000 people who are paying tax in this country should pay for the health care of 6 million people.

chilipaine
chilipaine
8 years ago

KUSOLOLA…IS ALL DPP KNOWS…AND THEY INHERITED IT FROM THAT CONVICTED MACHINGA 6 POUNDS THIEF…

Kondwani
Kondwani
8 years ago

Ms Palmer, please stop giving hangouts. Let people start to fed on their own, please please. We will never learn, we will never be responsible, if you do this.

Hd
Hd
8 years ago
Reply to  Kondwani

Kondwani you a fool sukudziwa chimene ukunena

Nyamakumutu
Nyamakumutu
8 years ago

This Ambassador is too talkative we have had some before but this one eish

Decent Citizen
Decent Citizen
8 years ago

Probably we should auction this stupid country with its sleepy citizen to some rich countries.It seems everything is not working.Even if America pulls out the Malaria aid,it is the ordinary Malawians who are going to suffer not the thieves.The thieves have the money and get into next plane to get some better healthcare in some foreign countries.People with stolen money do not care for others.

Khamani!!
Khamani!!
8 years ago

Mwayaluka mmxxii!!! Take the aid back USA .. If people can’t appreciate and properly apply the aid … Give it to somebody else . At this point I’m almost certain that there is a troop of baboons that is more organized than Malawians …. Stealing medicine for your people and needing foreigners to tell you not to do that ? Wow !

MALARIA MEDICINE
MALARIA MEDICINE
8 years ago

Ya. Threats keep coming and the people keep dying. Who really cares if millions of black africans die. Malawian politicians definatley dont care that is why these neo colonialists who milk the hidden natural resources can sit in their pseudo self righteouness and say people are stealing malaria medicine. GTFO. Malawi was here before the US EMBASSY IT WILL CONTINUE . Atleast our country is not built on the backs of covincts and slavery. Only the strongest will survive with or with out these hypocritical donor aid. FOTSEKI

Frankly speaking
8 years ago

I have always said that the biggest problem in our country is failure to hold a wrong doer accountable. Unfortunately in governance we say this is poor leadership. if Drugs are found in shops (we have evidence ) why not arrest the shopkeeper in the first place that will lead to who delivered to him then the health officer will easily be netted. But since it is mwana wa chemwali she/he is untouchable. We must root out this stupidity because it will hurt the poor malawian very badly really sad. Otherwise why is it so difficult to end stealing !… Read more »

Kenkkk
Kenkkk
8 years ago

This is all about instilling good governance which this dpp govt is so far terribly failing. We see some dpp zealots condemning the USA for telling them the truth about this dpp govt poor governance. At each medical institution, those responsible for keeping drugs or medicines should be held responsible. Surely there must be some mechanism put in place to ensure that no medicines are stolen at hospitals or clinics. Private pharmacies and hospitals should be tasked to account the sourcing of their medicines. You will see this dpp govt running to beg from China for malaria medicines rather than… Read more »

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