Malawi gov’t shocked with drug shortage reports: Jappie says no budget cuts for health ministry

Government says it shocked with reports there is shortage of drugs in public hospitals and several flaws in the delivery of quality health system delivery.

Jappie: Malawi government is always funding healthy delivery services
Jappie: Malawi government is always funding healthy delivery services

Responding to a questionnaire from Nyasa Times, Minister of Information, Tourism and Civic Education Jappie Mhango said he was “shocked” despite admitting growing reports of dwindling health services.

 Nyasa Times quizzed the minister following a myriad of developments the country’s public health system is facing recently ranging from threats of strikes by health workers to failure by hospitals to provide meals to patients.

Mhango, instead, heaped blame on hospital controlling officers “who do not prioritize government resources.”

He said it was “unfortunate that some government employees were stealing drugs,” citing a truck loaded with drugs that went missing en route to Salima District Hospital.

“Our health workers are not honest,” said Mhango. “Otherwise we’ve never cut or reduced funding to the ministry of health.”

He urged medical personnel in the country not prioritize “allowance issues” saying theirs was “a calling from God.”

Said Mhango: “Let me ask health workers to prioritize government resources. As government we’ve tried our best to make resources available for our health system. No DHO [District Health Officer] can stand up and confirm that their submitted budgets were not funded.”

And, Ministry of Finance spokesperson Nations Msowoya agreed with Mhango.

“The treasury has been funding hospitals according to their funded budgets,” said Msowoya.

Health and Rights Education Programme executive director Maziko Matemba has also called for frugal use of resources in execution of government resources.

If hospitals want to hold meetings, he said, they can use facilities at district level thus saving money that could have been used to book conference rooms.

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Mathanyula
Mathanyula
8 years ago

You can not find the truck that went missing with a full load of medications but you are ready for the terrorrists……. What a joke this administration is.

Dr Haswel P. Bandawe
Dr Haswel P. Bandawe
8 years ago

Anybody in a position of responsibility who would say “I was shocked to hear reports of shortages if medical supplies” should resign. He/she is irresponsible.

As soon as reports of the shortages reached him/ her remedial action should have been taken right away. The public would have been informed about what was uncovered, who did what, who got arrested/ dismissed and preventive measures put in place and the way forward.

The “appeal” to controlling officers to serve the people when no action has been taken is s cruel and sick joke!!!!!

Mphwephwa ya professor
Mphwephwa ya professor
8 years ago

Choncho angalankhule za nzeru mu cabinet awa?

Eye Witness
Eye Witness
8 years ago

Minister of Information is a Tumbuka…has he turned Lomwe? What he has answered is 100% incorrect and tantamount to legal suits…No hospital in Malawi has received all it’s proposed budget. Nyasatimes where is your investigative journalism? Before writing this shit you could have investigated to check If the Tumbuka turned Lomwe Minister has said is true. Do you think DHOs are fools to misuse money meant for patients food and announce that patients will be given porridge in the morning only? Haven’t you heard of Kalonga using LDF money to buy patients food, Rumphi MPs and well-wishers donating Maize, Dedza… Read more »

Hebdo
Hebdo
8 years ago

Shocked? Really Hon Minister? One wonders if anybody is control.

AKA NYAKWAWA
8 years ago

Thus killing the bisiness for those owning conferences….you poor Malawi……magay iweyo….kusowa…ankhwala….iweyo…..kusowa….ntchito.iweyo…
no.security.iwewemwe……kukwera…..kwa.fees.in.public…educational. institutions. ….iwewemwenso….ukupita….kuti…..Malawi..wanga….iwe…..dzuka..

.wolephera.savomera.kuti.walephera.kufikira….atafa

…ankhonya……or.kumunokola……savomera….tikuonerani.adriver.ndinu.makey……tinakupatsani.

koma…mukachita.ngozi….ife.tipulumika.pakuti.Mulingu.wathu.osafina.magay.olenga…..mwamuna…..ndi mkazi…..kuti.akhale.thupi….lomodzi…ndiwamouo….ndipo.mulungu…..wanu.wamagay.rights….akupilumutseni…..!!!!!!
Thanks

Golofindo
Golofindo
8 years ago

malawi sadzatukuka chifukwa cha khalidwe lakuba la anthu ake.

levelheaded
8 years ago

Malawi at its best. I was shocked to hear the same on Times exclusive interview yesterday where the minister of health was lamenting about the same problem.

Munyalika
8 years ago

kkkkk a mhango

Cheyusufu
Cheyusufu
8 years ago

momwe akuonekeramu anganene za nzeru? a minister kuoneka ngati laborer, koma ndiye long term effect of poverty.

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