Government losing millions as health workers steal drugs for resale

Theft of Medicines Acknowledged in Parliament

Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, has admitted that the government is losing millions of dollars through the theft of medication and hospital supplies by employees at public health institutions. Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Kwidini said some health workers steal drugs meant for patients and resell them to private pharmacies.

The issue was raised by Gutu South MP and Zanu PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi, who alleged that the pilferage of medicines by hospital staff is worsening shortages at public health institutions. Togarepi asked whether there is any control mechanism to ensure that after the government buys medication, it benefits patients instead of ending up in private pharmacies.

Kwidini acknowledged that the leakages are costing the government heavily. "After buying medication, people steal from hospitals for resale in their pharmacies," he said, adding that President Mnangagwa has said those who steal should be arrested.

Tracking System to Curb Theft

Kwidini revealed that his ministry had engaged a company to install a tracking system covering the movement of medicines from NatPharm, the state-owned pharmaceutical supplier, to hospitals and pharmacies. "We now have a tracking system that has been installed. With this new system, we are going to ensure that our medication is protected in hospitals," he said, warning that perpetrators would face prosecution.

The announcement comes amid broader concerns about access to healthcare. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP Blessing R. Makamure had brought the original question to the health official, saying residents were struggling to access healthcare. "They are just given prescriptions and they go to buy medication from pharmacies. What is government doing to ensure that residents get all services from government hospitals?" Makamure asked.

Kwidini told Speaker Jacob Mudenda that access to medication at hospitals and clinics remained a challenge. He noted that in the recent past, medication was accessible, but there was a challenge in getting a constant supply, and that currently hospitals do not have all medication.

Efforts to Improve Medicine Supply

Kwidini said the government is pursuing public-private partnerships to subsidise imported drugs while supporting local manufacturers to make medicines more affordable. He added that the government does not have a company that manufactures medication locally, but Zimbabweans are producing and supplying hospitals, and the government will assist such players so that medication is subsidised and affordable.