First Medical Supplies Arrive From Egypt

Medical supplies have now been procured by the government at the cost of $24 million from Egpyt – the first of many deliveries.

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo made clear that the drug shortage, which had previously caused issues in the past, had been addressed by the government’s timely procurement of pharmaceuticals from Egypt and India.

Ms. Masebo says that the Zambia’s drug supply has already reached 90 percent, claiming that the threshold is actually beyond the advised 80 percent for drug supply in health facilities.

Permanent Secretary in Charge of Administration in the Ministry of Health, Christopher Simoonga, delivered the speech on Ms. Masebo’s behalf.

Dr. Anna Chifungula, the Board Chair of Zambia Medicines and Medical Supply Agency (ZAMMSA), revealed that this is only the first part of a larger shipment of medical products from Egypt and the beginning of a fruitful inter-governmental relationship. She mentioned that another consignment of drugs will be delivered next week from Egpyt.

According to Noha Samir, Egypt’s Deputy Ambassador to Zambia, the Arab Republic wishes for further cooperation with Zambi additional to medical supplies.

Zambia’s Parliamentary Committee on Health and Community Development also commented that drug deliveries from Egypt will aid the upkeep of appropriate drug quantities in health facilities nationwide. Committee Member Joseph Munsanje observed that Members of Parliament are pleased that the government is delivering on its promise of stabilising the drug levels in Zambia.

Meanwhile, the Deliver Manager for Enhanced Public Services of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Alfred Sakwiya, said his institution will ensure drugs are not stolen.