ZAMMSA Board suspends Director General

The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency Board has suspended its Director General, Victor Nyasulu from office with immediate effect on the grounds of negligence.

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo revealed on 17 July that 61 out of 74 containers of medication set to be stored at ZAMMSA warehouse were diverted to a private warehouse without the knowledge or approval of the ZAMMSA board or the Ministry.

Speaking to the National Assembly on 18 July, Ms Masebo updated the House on the situation.

She said, “currently as we speak, these containers are now being transported from the J and J Depot to the ZAMMSA central warehouse using the Zambia National Service trucks.”

She continued, “Madam Speaker, when the ministry became fully aware of the issue, ZAMMSA was called to the ministry to thoroughly review the matter. At this stage, it was clear to us in the ministry that there was gross mismanagement and negligence bordering on possible criminality.”

She expressed the government’s frustration at individuals in positions of power hindering their efforts to ensure Zambians have access to necessary medicines.