ZAMMSA PLANS DRUG SUPPLY BEYOND 2024

By Lumbiwe Mwanza

THE Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) says it is considering procuring health centre kits beyond 2024 with the view to address challenges arising from stock shortages.

ZAMMSA Public Relations Officer Gift Kalaba told The Scoop that 90 percent of the essential drugs had been distributed in health centres across 10 provinces.

Mr. Kalaba said that the stock positioning in almost all health facilities in the country had been stabilized and the feedback received was positive.

“As an Agency, we continue to distribute the 7,000 essential medicines to health facilities and we have reached over 90 percent of the distribution. The stock positioning has stabilized in health centres and as an Agency, we can safely say that distribution will remain stable for the next 12 months as we will continue receiving 7,000 health kits every two months,” Mr. Kalaba said.

He said that the agency had strengthened collaboration with other cooperating partners such as the UNDP and UNICEF to ensure a sustained and steady supply chain for essential medicines.

He stated that ZAMMSA was committed to serving the public efficiently and to contribute to the delivery of quality health care services.

“Our mandate is clear and we shall endeavour to serve the people of Zambia. We shall execute our duties diligently to satisfy the Zambian people in ensuring that health commodities are secured,” he said.

He further emphasized on the new measures and approaches in the procurement system to enhance transparency and accountability.

He said that the Agency had set rules and regulations that will enable it to operate on values and serve the public in a more accountable and transparent manner in its procurement processes.