Government has warned of stern action against pilfering of drugs in hospitals and other health facilities in the country.
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Mighty Mumba says government will not take kindly anyone found pilfering essential drugs procured at great cost for all public health facilities.
Mr. Mumba says going from reports reaching his office, Luapula province has been labeled the highest culprit where drug pilferage is concerned.
Speaking during a provincial integrated meeting held at Legrande lodge in Kawambwa district, the Permanent Secretary, thereby requested for enhanced security at health facilities to ensure that the drugs are safeguarded and bring culprits to book.
“On the issue of drug pilferage, our province has been labeled as a culprit where drug pilferage is concerned. Let us not take this lightly.
“ Let us ensure that all culprits are brought to book and ensure that security is enhanced in our pharmacies,” Mr. Mumba cautioned.
In line with its mandate of ensuring availability of essential drugs in its health facilities, government through the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority ( ZAMRA ) has procured essential and made available in all health facilities in the country.
And the Permanent Secretary says the new dawn government has implemented massive infrastructure development as can be seen from the construction of the two modern hospitals and the 306 health facilities.
Commissioning modern hospitals in Nchelenge and Mwansabombwe, Mr. Mumba disclosed that several clinics in the region have been upgraded to first level hospitals while 19 others have been upgraded to mini – hospitals.
“We have upgraded several clinics to first level hospitals and this has been replicated to other facilities.
“ The province has also benefited from the mini hospitals, our province stands at 19 mini hospitals ideal for full operationalization,” Mr. Mumba said.
He said the massive infrastructure development in the health sector will help reduce traffic in the hospitals by targeting upstream interventions that address social and environmental determinants of health.
And Mr. Mumba appealed to the health workers to be vigilant and significantly reduce maternal related deaths in the province.
The PS said 51 maternal deaths were recorded in 2023 and so far seven deaths have been recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
He said no woman should die while giving birth and that government has done its part by employing enough manpower and necessary equipment to address health related issues.
“I therefore encourage all the districts that have recorded maternal deaths in the first quarter of this year to ensure that they handle the issue with seriousness it deserves as the figures recorded so far are unacceptable and a very big dent on our province,” he advised.
And Provincial Health Director Simon Kunda said government’s directive that every health facility should have a maternity annex is slowly being realized with the support of Constituency Development Fund ( CDF ).
Dr. Kunda also said government has increased funding towards the collection of blood to address maternal mortality which mostly happen due to excessive bleeding during delivery.
