THE importance of medicines and medical supplies in Zambia cannot be overstated. This is because they play a critical role in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Zambians.
Essential medicines are the backbone of healthcare services.
They ensure that everyone, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, has access to necessary treatments.
Availability of medicines in health facilities promotes equity by reducing disparities in healthcare access.
Medicines are vital for preventing and treating diseases. From antibiotics to anti-retrovirals, they combat infections, manage chronic conditions, and save lives.
Vaccines protect against deadly diseases and contribute to public health. Having medicines readily available is crucial during emergencies such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks or accidents.
Immediate access to life-saving drugs can make a significant difference.
Therefore, effective distribution of medicines and medical supplies nation-wide is critical in ensuring that drugs are available in health facilities at all times.
At the centre of this crucial task is Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), whose mandate is threefold: buying, storing and distributing medicines and medical supplies.
But for ZAMMSA to efficiently execute this mandate, it must have the capacity to buy medicines and medical supplies, store, and later distribute them to all parts of the country.
As such, that the agency is working out a plan to have 100 percent capacity to distribute medicines and medical supplies across the country is very good news.
Featuring on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation’s Special Interview programme on Thursday night, ZAMMSA director-general Victor Nyasulu revealed the agency’s blueprint to make itself 100 percent capable of distributing medicines and medical supplies across Zambia.
This follows ZAMMSA’s attainment of 70 percent drugs in its central storage facility in Lusaka as per World Health Organisation yardstick.
“We don’t like the fact that at the moment, distribution is helped 70 percent by USAID. We are working out a plan to make sure that we are ready to do 100 percent as ZAMMSA,” he shared.
Surely, this is a praise-worthy move by ZAMMSA as this will ensure that life-saving medicines reach every corner of Zambia, contributing to a healthier nation.
Achieving full capacity ensures that every region, including remote areas, has timely access to critical healthcare resources.
When ZAMMSA starts operating at full capacity in terms of distribution, it will minimise the risk of stock-outs in health facilities in the country.
Adequate supplies mean that patients can receive necessary treatments without delays.
Proper distribution ensures that medicines are handled correctly, maintaining their quality and efficacy. Avoiding expired or compromised products is essential for patient safety.
ZAMMSA’s efficient distribution system will support the fight against diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Swift delivery of anti-retrovirals, anti-malarials, and vaccines will help control outbreaks.
Ensuring that all health facilities in Zambia have medicines at all times is of utmost importance for several critical reasons.
Life-threatening emergencies can occur unexpectedly. Therefore, having a well-stocked inventory ensures that health facilities can respond promptly.
Imagine a patient suffering from a severe allergic reaction or a heart attack! Immediate access to medications like epinephrine or nitroglycerin can be life-saving.
Also, many patients rely on daily medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and HIV.
Consistent access to medicines helps manage these conditions effectively, preventing complications and hospitalisations.
We, therefore, welcome ZAMMSA’s plan to fully capacitate itself so that it can effectively execute its mandate of procuring, storing, and distributing medicines and medical supplies to all parts of Zambia.
This is because consistent access to medicines is the backbone of effective healthcare. It saves lives, prevents complications, and promotes the overall well-being of citizens.
Efficient medicines distribution life-saving
THE importance of medicines and medical supplies in Zambia cannot be overstated. This is because they play a critical role in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Zambians.
Essential medicines are the backbone of healthcare services.
They ensure that everyone, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, has access to necessary treatments.
Availability of medicines in health facilities promotes equity by reducing disparities in healthcare access.
Medicines are vital for preventing and treating diseases. From antibiotics to anti-retrovirals, they combat infections, manage chronic conditions, and save lives.
Vaccines protect against deadly diseases and contribute to public health. Having medicines readily available is crucial during emergencies such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks or accidents.
Immediate access to life-saving drugs can make a significant difference.
Therefore, effective distribution of medicines and medical supplies nation-wide is critical in ensuring that drugs are available in health facilities at all times.
At the centre of this crucial task is Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), whose mandate is threefold: buying, storing and distributing medicines and medical supplies.
But for ZAMMSA to efficiently execute this mandate, it must have the capacity to buy medicines and medical supplies, store, and later distribute them to all parts of the country.
As such, that the agency is working out a plan to have 100 percent capacity to distribute medicines and medical supplies across the country is very good news.
Featuring on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation’s Special Interview programme on Thursday night, ZAMMSA director-general Victor Nyasulu revealed the agency’s blueprint to make itself 100 percent capable of distributing medicines and medical supplies across Zambia.
This follows ZAMMSA’s attainment of 70 percent drugs in its central storage facility in Lusaka as per World Health Organisation yardstick.
“We don’t like the fact that at the moment, distribution is helped 70 percent by USAID. We are working out a plan to make sure that we are ready to do 100 percent as ZAMMSA,” he shared.
Surely, this is a praise-worthy move by ZAMMSA as this will ensure that life-saving medicines reach every corner of Zambia, contributing to a healthier nation.
Achieving full capacity ensures that every region, including remote areas, has timely access to critical healthcare resources.
When ZAMMSA starts operating at full capacity in terms of distribution, it will minimise the risk of stock-outs in health facilities in the country.
Adequate supplies mean that patients can receive necessary treatments without delays.
Proper distribution ensures that medicines are handled correctly, maintaining their quality and efficacy. Avoiding expired or compromised products is essential for patient safety.
ZAMMSA’s efficient distribution system will support the fight against diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Swift delivery of anti-retrovirals, anti-malarials, and vaccines will help control outbreaks.
Ensuring that all health facilities in Zambia have medicines at all times is of utmost importance for several critical reasons.
Life-threatening emergencies can occur unexpectedly. Therefore, having a well-stocked inventory ensures that health facilities can respond promptly.
Imagine a patient suffering from a severe allergic reaction or a heart attack! Immediate access to medications like epinephrine or nitroglycerin can be life-saving.
Also, many patients rely on daily medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and HIV.
Consistent access to medicines helps manage these conditions effectively, preventing complications and hospitalisations.
We, therefore, welcome ZAMMSA’s plan to fully capacitate itself so that it can effectively execute its mandate of procuring, storing, and distributing medicines and medical supplies to all parts of Zambia.
This is because consistent access to medicines is the backbone of effective healthcare. It saves lives, prevents complications, and promotes the overall well-being of citizens.