Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi, has warned health workers across the country to desist from pilfering medicines and medical supplies from government facilities.
Dr Lishimpi says it is unfortunate that some unscrupulous individuals were frustrating government’s efforts of providing quality health services to the Zambian people by stealing medicines and medical supplies from government health facilities.
He says the government will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who will be found wanting, with the process expedited within five months and a jail sentence passed onto that person.
ZANIS reports that Dr Lishimpi was speaking during the second and third quarter District Integrated Management Meeting held at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka.
“As government, we are working on a track and trace system that will be active throughout the supply chain of medicines and medical supplies, and this is part of the digitisation system of health service delivery,” Dr Lishimpi emphasised.
He further said the digitisation of health services is aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency and accountability in health service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary also revealed that as part of the digitisation of health services in Zambia, the government is working towards the creation of a Digital Application that would allow pregnant community members seeking the services of an ambulance to order the ride of an ambulance using the digital application.
He said the move will help in reducing preventable pregnancy complications especially for community members who have challenges in accessing transport when they are due for delivery.
Dr Lishimpi also indicated that community health workers will be empowered with tablets that will be connected to the digital platform for easy tracking of community health services provided, as well as tracing cases that need referral to a health facility.
He urged the health workers to be diligent and honest in their dealings so that the country can strive to provide quality health services.
And Lusaka District Commissioner, Rosa Zulu, praised the government for the constant recruitment of health workers since 2021.
Ms Zulu noted that the improvement in the staffing levels in the health sector has improved the quality of health service delivery in the district.
“I am happy that a number of facilities in the district have received new infrastructure for maternity wings, mother’s shelters, water supply systems and soon ambulances will be provided to all the seven constituencies in Lusaka,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Lusaka District Health Director, Astridah Maseka, revealed that the District Health Office has capacity built 96 officers who are undergoing various trainings in order to strengthen the health workforce.
Dr Maseka said there is a need for collective efforts from all stakeholders in order to strengthen the health system in the district for critical quality health service.
