The government is haemorrhaging millions of dollars because some health workers are stealing medicines and hospital supplies and selling them to private pharmacies, Deputy Health and Child Care Minister Sleiman Kwidini has revealed.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Kwidini conceded that the theft of drugs intended for patients was worsening shortages at public health institutions. He said President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ordered the arrest of anyone caught stealing from hospitals.
The deputy minister was responding to concerns raised by Gutu South MP Pupurai Togarepi, who asked if there were controls to ensure government-purchased medication benefits patients rather than ending up in private pharmacies.
Kwidini said his ministry has engaged a company to install a tracking system that will monitor the movement of medicines from NatPharm to hospitals and pharmacies, ensuring that medication is protected at health facilities. He warned that perpetrators would face prosecution.
He added that government is exploring public-private partnerships to subsidise imported drugs and support local manufacturers to make medicines more affordable for Zimbabweans.