‘We’re Cleaning Up PF Mess at ZAMMSA’ – Muchima
Health Minister Dr Elijah Muchima says the Government has been hard at work cleaning up corruption at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) after the previous PF government “left a lot of dirt everywhere”.
Dr Muchima pointed to the forensic audit - commissioned by President Hichilema and carried out by independent auditors PWC - as well as the sacking of ZAMMSA’s board as evidence that the government has taken robust steps to root out graft in the healthcare sector.
“That is what the President undertook, it is his initiative. The moment he came into office, he has looked at the dirt not only in ZAMMSA; he has to look at every wall of his government to see how it can be cleaned up,” the minister told reporters.
Following the results of the forensic audit, the Anti-Corruption Commission has raided 206 pharmacies suspected of being involved in illegal procurement practices. So far 56 individuals have been arrested in relation to healthcare corrruption, of whom 30 are facing active court cases.
In February, police arrested ZAMMSA Director General Victor Nyasulu and two others for allegedly failing to follow public procurement laws in awarding contracts to 26 companies.
Dr Muchima said the government was committed to mopping up corruption properly, without regard for tribal or political affiliaitons.
“This is a government of laws, not the PF government which used to lock up people anyhow, as long as you belong to a certain tribe, as long as you belong to UPND,” he said.