Kumpalume declines to name and shame drug suppliers who fail to deliver
Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume declined to name and shame drug suppliers who failed to deliver after being asked to do so un parliament.
Kumpalume was asked by a legislator to name the drug suppliers when the minister said in a statement in Parliament that public hospitals have nearly exhausted most of their drug budgets, a move that could worsen the drug situation in public hospitals.
The Minister of Health said the public hospitals lately experienced a shortage of analgesics [paracetamol etc due to non-delivery of the supply by a local manufacturer.
“ Corrective measures have been taken and two other local companies will take over the allocation,” he said.
MP David Bisnowaty who owns Sadm pharmaceuticals stood on a point of order that the said suppliers failed to supply because they didn’t have money to import raw material and the banks refused to finance.
Nyasa Times understand the company is Kentam of Mzuzu.
Many local companies fail to supply because they can’t access finance while foreign companies get letter of credit from government which is a guarantee payment which local companies are not privileged.
Kumpalume said most district hospitals may not stock drugs and supplies as district health offices (DHOs) used up more than half of their funding for drugs six months before the next budget.
He said the stock availability at Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) is at 30 percent between July and December.
“Even though CMST reports 60 percent stock of must-have drugs, this figure is based on whether that item is available irrespective of whether the volume is sufficient or not,” he said.
In the 2015/16 budget, Parliament approved drug budget allocations for district hospitals at K10 billion and K5.6 billion for central hospitals.
In his mid-term budget review statement on Friday, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe omitted to explain how government would deal with the drug crisis that has paralysed the country.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health and Population has since expressed concern over the shortages of medicine.
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Agree with Jabu that the executive management of CMST is the most corrupt and Dr Chisale is serving interest of this Indian company. To make it worse Kaupa has got no say in the management of the trust as the real power lies with Dr Chisale whose brother works at state house as Director of Security. Interestinglying his contract expired in November but but he has been placed on month to month after bribing Mkondiwa and Ben Phiri during ECAMA meeting in Mangochi. Watch this space for details
Looking critically at comments posted here, it seems there’s too much rotten stuff taking place in the ministry starting with Kumpalume himself. Dr. Chilima please have a closer look at this crucial ministry. This is a tip enough worth applying public reform program. Ine Nilibe Pulobulemu ngati APM.
Failed state, failed bwampini mathanyula, failed DPP
Kumpalume is not helping the President. He is busy enriching himself. I know everything he is doing but let me not wash the dirty linen in the public.
The Minister is just plain stupid by not telling the truth. If you remove Dr Chisale, Kaupa and Kaimvi the situation will improve. Dr Chisale has an interest in a certain Indian company which …….Bionic which overprices and gets many contracts. Why is CMST always buying on emergencies? Its a deliberate policy. Could donors audit the pricing by one Sol….. and you will be shocked. The public service needs proper leadership otherwise we shall continue having these problems. We must improve the way we recruit managers. How can a person who couldnt run a school be put in charge of… Read more »
The first company which supplies substandard drugs belongs to the person who was asking (SADM) and because he knew that the minister has been eating big khaki envelope from him the minister can’t say it, just remember the SCANNING machine issue in central hospitals
Indian suppliers fail to deliver but they give hospital administrators 10% commission so they will still be given orders or LPO. Local supplies are just middle men/ women because they have to be paid in advance then go buy from SA and supply hospitals the equipment. Procurement in government is in deep shit!!!!!