'Workers creating drug shortage'

By ALEX NJOVU

THE Health Workers Union of Zambia (HWUZ) has unearthed a plot in which some civil servants are allegedly creating an artificial shortage of essential drugs in a bid to discredit the MMD government.

And Ministry of Health spokesperson Reuben Mbewe has said he will discuss the information with the authorities.

HWUZ general secretary Lewis Mukosha said in an interview in Lusaka on February 2 that some civil servants are allegedly creating an artificial shortage of essential drugs to discredit the MMD.

Mr Mukosha said he has received reports that some distribution officers in some parts of the country are allegedly stealing antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and selling them on the black market, while the surplus is smuggled to a named neighbouring country.

He said some of the distribution officers have been selling the drugs to private pharmacies, which resell them over the counter.

"We have information that some distribution officers in the country are deliberately causing the shortage of certain drugs in the country to make the government unpopular.

We also have information that ARVs are in short supply in some parts of the country because the people who have been entrusted with the responsibility of distributing them are dishonest," he said.

Mr Mukosha urged Government to investigate the matter to avoid endangering people's lives.

He warned civil servants against frustrating Government efforts to deliver quality healthcare to the people.

"We know some of the people who are involved in these scandals. We would like to warn them that if they don't stop, we will report them to relevant authorities.

"It is wrong for anyone to sell drugs such as ARVs on the black market because such drugs are given with firm instructions from qualified medical personnel," he said.

Mr Mukosha wondered why some civil servants should endanger people’s lives to discredit President Banda’s administration.

He said HWUZ is happy with Government’s performance in the various sectors of the economy.

Mr Mukosha called on the government to be wary of some civil servants whose motive is to destabilise the nation by creating an artificial shortage of essential drugs.

He said Government has demonstrated commitment to addressing the needs of the people by embracing all stakeholders to develop the nation.

Mr Mukosha said HWUZ will work with Government to improve the welfare of the people.

And Ministry of Health spokesperson Reuben Mbewe said the information is important and it will be discussed with the authorities.