Malawi drug boosts from South Africa’s Adcock Ingram
State Vice President Khumbo Kachali has hailed South African Adcock Ingram for responding to an emergency drug appeal by President Joyce Banda saying the firm has shown its commitment to help Malawians.
Kachali was speaking in Lilongwe when received a consignment of assorted drug and medical supplies from Adcock Ingram S.A saying the current drug shortages were being eased through such donations and other measures.
“Government on its own has released money to buy all required essential drugs but donations such as these demonstrate that some companies are not here to make money only but help Malawians in times of need. I really I am grateful on behalf of all Malawians,” said
The Vice President said currently the burden of diseases was high due to the rainy season saying it is exerting pressure on public health facilities.
“Let me appeal to health workers to be vigilant and reduce pilferage of drugs and medical supplies so that we can be able to treat our patients well,” said Kachali.
Minister of Health Catherine Gotani Hara said the K3 billion released from Treasury has also reduced the impact of shortages and appealed to more donations as the challenge of drug and medical supplies was still huge.
Adcock Ingram SA Director Kofi Amingashe said the company was touched by President Joyce Bandas appeal for support and as a business entity through Pharmachemie their local agent they thought it was right for them to donate the medical supplies.
“We are not donating because we want anything else but because we feel it is the right thing to do to the people of this country,” said the director.
In January this year, Minister of Health said the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) had run out of 95 percent of the most essential drugs.
This development prompted doctors to call on government to fix the problem.
