Government losing millions as health workers steal drugs for resale
Zimbabwe's government is losing millions due to health workers stealing medication from public hospitals to resell in private pharmacies. The Health Ministry is implementing a new tracking system to monitor the movement of drugs from suppliers to hospitals to curb these losses.
Why it matters
The theft of essential medicines directly impacts the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for vulnerable citizens in public institutions.
THE government is losing millions of dollars through the theft of medication and hospital supplies by employees at public health institutions, Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Kwidini has said.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Kwidini admitted that some health workers were stealing drugs meant for patients and reselling them to private pharmacies.
The issue was raised by Gutu South MP and Zanu PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi.
In a follow-up question, Togarepi alleged that the pilferage of medicines by hospital staff was worsening shortages at public health institutions.
“Is there any control mechanism to ensure that after government buys medication, it benefits patients instead of ending up in private pharmacies?” Togarepi asked.
Kwidini said the leakages were costing the government heavily.
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