JOHN CHAAMBWA
Lusaka
ZAMBIA Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) says its current medicines stock stands at 70 percent at the central level, with primary healthcare facilities averaging over 95 percent, while hospitals such as Ndola and Kitwe Teaching Hospitals are averaging between 80 and 85 percent.
And ZAMMSA says it is prioritising local manufacturers of medicines to ensure that money remains within the country.
ZAMMSA acting director-general Olive Chiboola said the agency has ample stocks of essential medicines and medical supplies at both central and healthcare facility levels.
In an interview, Ms Chiboola said ZAMMSA is committed to ensuring that all over 3,500 healthcare facilities country-wide have sufficient stocks of life-saving commodities to serve their communities efficiently.
“As a country, we have most of the key commodities needed for the treatment of conditions such as malaria, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and many other common conditions and diseases,” she said.
“The minimum 70 percent drug availability level meets World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, ensuring that citizens have easy and equitable access to quality healthcare services.”
Ms Chiboola said the agency is fully prepared to respond to any emergencies that may require the urgent delivery of health commodities to any part of the country….https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
