Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Bernard Mpundu, has dismissed reports from Kasama Central Member of Parliament, Sibongile Mwamba, that the district has a shortage of Antiretro-viral (ARV) drugs.

Speaking at a media briefing this morning, Mr Mpundu said Kasama District and the province at large have sufficient stocks of ARV drugs.

Mr Mpundu disclosed that Kasama General Hospital alone has enough drug stocks to last for up to 15 months for those on the second line of antiretro-viral therapy and four months for the first line.

He added that Kasama District Health Office currently has stocks for the next nine months and two months for the first and second lines, respectively.

Mr Mpundu has also disclosed that Northern Province has 60, 593 people on the first line treatment and 168, 000 on second line with none on third line treatment.

The Permanent Secretary has since urged the public not to panic over the said reports.

He also challenged public office bearers to verify information before making statements.

Yesterday, Kasama Central Member of Parliament, Sibongile Mwamba, raised an urgent matter without notice directed to the Minister of Health and the Vice President, saying there is a shortage of Anti Retro Viral drugs in Kasama District.