President Hakainde Hichilema says the Government will in 2023 priorities the sealing of all leakags triggering drug shortages in the procurement of essential medicines in public hospitals.
President Hichilema said it had become a culture over the past years drugs in the supply chain not reaching the intended destinations and ended up in drug stores.
President Hichilema said this in Chroma yesterday during the distribution of baby hampers for Christmas babies at Choma General Hospital in the company of First Lady, Mutinta.
Mr. Hichilema said the leadership of the medical institutions should put tight controls in the administration of essential drugs.
“If one tablet of Panadol is in the store it’s meant for the patients, some of the tablets go into the pockets or don’t reach their destination, we are taking note,” Mr Hichilema said.
He also assured that all the health structures left under births. the first phase of construction under the previous government across the country would be completed.
President Hichilema said the Government would also lobby for life-saving machines and at the same time directed the provincial medical office to give a status of the clinics.
Southern Province Health Director Caristas Kayunga said 44 babies were delivered on Christmas day across the province with Choma General Hospital accounting for 10 births.
Dr Kayunga said most of the vehicles in the health centres were old hence compromising delivery of health services.
He said there was need to complete the two slabs at the hospital that had been abandoned since 2010.
Dr Kayunga also appealed to the Government to consider providing advanced ambulance services in hospitals.
Provincial minister Cornelius Mweetwa said the president had also given two animals to patients at the hospital as a Christmas gift.
Mr Mweetwa said Christmas was a special occasion that reminded everyone of the need to reach out to the vulnerable in the community.
The president also took time to check on the Farmer Input Support Programme distribution exercise at Alpha sheds in Choma.
He said all the depots in the country should be opened to allow farmers to collect their input and begin planting.
He said there was need for farmers to grow enough food, while the excess could be sold, while also urging the farmers to revive maize barns in villages.
He said come next year, the Government would introduce the Agriculture Support Programme and loan schemes for livestock.
Alpha Commodities Regional Manager Charles Chalo said Choma District was at 70 per cent in the distribution of farming inputs and would complete the exercise by January 31.
