Govt to stabilise drug supply

SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes @SunZambian GOVERNMENT has called for the stabilization of the medicines supply chain in order to enhance availability of medicines in health facilities across the country. Health Minister, Jonas Chanda, said the Government wanted health facilities starting from clinics, level one hospitals and tertiary hospitals not to run out of drugs due to an ineffective supply chain. Dr Chanda said there was a need to work around all modalities to ensure that only quality medicines were supplied in hospitals in order to improve healthcare provision. Dr Chanda was speaking when he toured the Copperbelt Medical Stores limited (MSL) regional hub in Ndola. The Minister was on a familiarization tour of the province and was accompanied by Copperbelt PF chairman, Nathan Chanda, Luanshya Central Member of Parliament Steve Chungu and Provincial health officials. The minister called for a close working relationship between MLS and the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) in order to strike a balance between provision of quality medicines and maintaining a steady supply of medical products. “We want to have stock up levels of at least six months in all health facilities through a stable supply chain. Having medical supplies to only last for a few weeks or months is a huge risk. ” I therefore directed Medical Stores Limited to ensure that they supply on time medicines and all the reagents in order to carry out the necessary laboratory tests,” he said. Dr Chanda directed the Provincial Health Administration to quickly conclude the list of requirements needed to immediately operationalize all the health facilities on the Copperbelt that had neared completion in order for people to start accessing medical services. Among the health centers the ministers visited were Luanshya’s Chibolya Clinic pediatric wing, Kamirenda clinic and Mpatamatu Clinic which are all undergoing maintainace and upgrade for improved service delivery.