President Hichilema Cracks Down on Corruption in Medical Supply Chain with Sweeping Reforms
President Hichilema has reaffirmed his commitment to cleaning up the medical supply chain, announcing decisive action to eradicate corruption.
The sweeping reforms, detailed in a press release from the Office of the President, come in response to a comprehensive independent forensic audit of the sector, commissioned by the President last year
The report is described in the press release as “one of several decisive measures to tackle long-standing, systemic issues that [the President] described as 'cancerous' and rooted in the historical theft of medicines.”
While the President's decision to engage PwC, an external auditor, was initially met with hostility from his opposition, the press release notes that his prioritisation of integrity over partisanship reflects his core principles of transparency and accountability.
The government made clear that:
The issues highlighted in the audit are currently under investigation by the relevant law enforcement agencies.
All concerned departments are fully cooperating with these agencies to ensure a thorough, fair, and impartial process.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The findings will be made public once investigations and due process have been completed.
In response to the preliminary audit findings, President Hichilema has taken swift action, dissolving the ZAMMSA Management Board and initiating the search for a new Director General.
At the same time, the President has ramped up Drug Enforcement Commission operations and established a National Drug Task Force to provide real-time monitoring and early detection. The government has also implemented an advanced digital stock-tracking system at ZAMMSA to improve transparency and reduce the risk of medicine diversion.
The press release confirmed that further reforms and improvements are also underway as government departments continue to review the audit recommendations.
“The President remains unwavering in his commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and service delivery in the medical sector, ensuring that every Zambian has access to the medicines and care they deserve,” it concludes.