By MUKWIMA CHILALA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has allayed fears of drug shortage in public health facilities around the country.
The President said the situation of drug shortages was not as portrayed in the media because the supply of drugs is running smoothly.
Mr Hichilema said this after an impromptu visit to the Ministry of Health headquarters yesterday to appreciate the situation regarding the supply of drugs in hospitals and recruitment or 11, 200 health personnel.
He said he had a virtual meeting with all provincial medical officers who have assured that there is smooth supply of drugs.
And the President has expressed happiness with the newly constituted ZAMMSA Board saying they have started moving things in a positive direction within the short period since their appointment.
The President has however implored the Ministry of Health to critically manage their communication to the public so that they can be aware of the current happenings in the ministry.
“We are delighted to come here to discuss with the ministry on a number of issues, particularly focusing on how we can work together to sort out the perceived or real drug shortage. The meeting revealed a number of issues, with some requiring interrogation. There appears to be a mismatch of what is on the ground and what is being said,” President Hichilema said.
“This should be normal going forward, today you see us at Health Ministry, tomorrow the President will be at Lands or elsewhere. This is something you must expect going forward because the President’s office is not State House, he is a servant of the people working with ministers, PS’s, yourselves (Journalists) to ensure we improve service delivery. So better get used to it.”
And Mr Hichilema has assured that the government is on course to employing the 11, 200 health workers as it has just been putting in place proper systems to manage the process.
