By Respite Kaoma,
The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) Board of Directors has called for improved storage infrastructure to manage the growing influx of medicines across the country.
ZAMMSA Board Chairperson, Brigadier General Gershom Chungu, made the remarks during a tour of Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital and Ndola Teaching Hospital, where he expressed concern over medicines being stored on the floor due to inadequate storage space.
General Chungu urged pharmacists to optimize available storage facilities and called for nationwide assessments to upgrade infrastructure, in order to ensure proper handling and storage of medicines.
He further commended the administration of Hakainde Hichilema for prioritising the health sector, citing the increased allocation of funds towards medicines, medical equipment, and strengthening the health system this year.
But Copperbelt Provincial Health Director, Dr. Charles Mwinuna, has issued a stern warning against pilferage of drugs in health facilities, stressing that the security of medical commodities remains a top priority.
Dr. Mwinuna said strong collaboration and consistent communication between health facilities and supervisory authorities are critical to sustaining the current 95 to 99 percent drug availability levels across the province.
Meanwhile, Ndola Teaching Hospital Head of Pharmacy Department, Janet Ngulube, says the hospital has maintained a 90 percent availability rate for essential medicines and medical supplies.
Ms. Ngulube attributed this achievement to strong cooperation between hospital management and ZAMMSA.
