CAAC Warns of Rampant Corruption in Ministry of Health Procurement
By Respite Kaoma
Community Action Against Corruption (CAAC) has expressed concern over the alleged widespread corruption at the Ministry of Health, citing huge budgetary allocations and donor-funded projects as breeding grounds for corrupt activities.
Speaking in an interview with Mafken news, CAAC Chief Executive Officer Brightone Tembo says the Ministry’s involvement in multiple procurement processes creates opportunities for tender rigging and kickbacks by corrupt government officials and their proxies.
Mr. Tembo alleged that the government’s heavy funding of the Ministry is not aimed at improving healthcare, but rather to create pools of funds that can be diverted to fund ruling party political activities, especially during election years.
He claims that this has negatively impacted healthcare provision, particularly for the poor who cannot afford treatment for diseases like cancer abroad.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has expressed commitment to fighting corruption and enhancing transparency, with its Board Chairperson Brigadier General Gershom Chungu pledging strong oversight and leadership to strengthen the Agency’s operations.
