• MOH urges Health regulatory bodies be aware that the confidence of the public in the institution is very low.
• There are topical issues in the country that have reduced public trust and Confidence in Medical Stores.

Minister of Health has directed Medical Stores Limited and Zambia Medicines Regulated Authority (ZAMRA) to submit a report indicating the number of substandard medical supplies that have been recalled.
Speaking when he visited Medical Stores Limited as part of his familiarization tour, Dr. Jonas Chanda said Public confidence in the institution is very low, as transparency and accountability have been called into question.
Dr. Chanda said the institutions must ask themselves if the drugs, medical supplies and other products being distributed are safe for human consumption.
The Minister stated that he will not tolerate anything that is going to harm the people, adding that at an appropriate time, Action will be taken on those involved in the supply of substandard drugs.
He advised Medical Stores Limited and ZAMRA to work very closely and rectify problems that have been identified.
“I must mention that Medical Stores you must be aware that right now the confidence of the public in the institution is very low, you know the topical issues, I don’t want to go into the details because we have a process at Parliament that is going on we have to respect parliamentary procedure. But there are topical issues in the country that have reduced public trust and Confidence in Medical Stores.”
“Are you distributing things that are safe for the people, in terms of drugs, medical supplies and all other products? That is the issue that we should ask ourselves, because in the end, our ultimate bosses are the people, it’s the Zambian people that we are mandated to serve. Transparency and Accountability has come into question. ZAMRA and yourselves have to work very closely,” Dr. Chanda said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda disclosed that he will soon sign the commencement order that will actualize the transformation of the Medical Stores Limited to Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency (ZAMMSA) that will see the procurement process be moved from the Ministry of Health to the Medical Stores Limited in order to enhance efficiency.
“Coming to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency ACT number 9 of 2019, the whole idea is to transform Medical Stores Limited from just a Limited Company to a Statutory body that with expanded functions. We want to shift most of these procurement functions from the Ministry of Health to Medical Stores Limited which will be called the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency (ZAMMSA), and I must announce here that I am going to sign that commencement order, because that is part of the confidence building measures,” he stated.
And Medical Stores Limited Managing Director Chikuta Mbewe said government and its partners have invested more than US$20 Million to expand the facility.
Mr. Mbewe said the investment has increased the institution’s capability for storage and distribution, from 8, 000 pallet spaces to 32, 000 pallet spaces.
He added that part of the investment that the institution is privileged to have is in the decentralization of distribution services and this has been achieved through the construction of 7 distribution hub, in Choma, Chipata, Mpika, Mansa, Mongu and Kabompo.
“We are also very happy that through the partnership with the Global Fund, we are earmarked to also establish new hub facilities in Mkushi and also in Kasama.
“This is an institution that enjoys a lot of good will in terms of partnerships that government has with different partners, and I must hasten to name the EU who provided the support of about 8 million Euros to expand our current Central Warehouse, and indeed we also have the Global Fund who are also supporting us in terms of modernizing our facility and also the construction of the hubs,” Mr. Mbewe disclosed.