JCTR demands full disclosure of forensic audit on medical supplies agency, suggests solutions to check menace

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has demanded the immediate publication of the full forensic audit report of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), following the United States government’s decision to withdraw US$50 million in medical aid to Zambia over allegations of widespread theft of life-saving medicines and insufficient government action.

JCTR Social and Economic Development (SED) Programme Manager, Edward Musosa, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, called on the government to release the audit findings, name those implicated, and outline both systemic failures and corrective measures.

Musosa warned that the U.S. aid cut poses a serious threat to the health of poor, marginalized, and vulnerable Zambians—particularly those dependent on free medication for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

“While the historical context is important, the current government must take full responsibility for addressing the persistent issue of drug theft, some of which has occurred under its watch,” he said.

Musosa described the theft of life-saving medicines as a gross violation of human dignity and a failure of stewardship, calling for swift, transparent, and accountable action to protect the vulnerable and restore Zambia’s international credibility.

“The forensic audit has not been made public, impeding accountability. While some suspensions have occurred, there has been no clear commitment to robust prosecutions or asset recovery,” he noted.

Key Recommendations by JCTR:

Protect Whistleblowers:
Reform the Public Interest Disclosure Act to ensure full anonymity and safety for whistleblowers. Allocate increased resources to the ACC, DEC, and Police to strengthen the Joint Task Force’s enforcement capabilities.

Fast-Track Prosecutions and Asset Recovery:
Expedite prosecution of all individuals involved in drug theft, regardless of rank or political affiliation. Recover stolen drugs and funds where possible, and reinvest them into the health system to mitigate the impact of lost aid.

Digitalise the Drug Supply Chain:
Secure funding for a tamper-proof digital tracking system to monitor medicine distribution from ZAMMSA to health facilities. This should include real-time alerts, barcode/QR verification, and community-accessible platforms for reporting irregularities.

Strengthen Community-Based Monitoring:
Institutionalise monitoring through Neighbourhood Health Committees (NHCs), equipped with digital tools such as SMS dashboards or mobile apps to report stock levels, discrepancies, and suspected pilferage. These community actors must be protected and trained.

Build a Resilient Domestic Health Supply System:
As donor-funded procurement continues until January 2026, the government should collaborate with the U.S. and other partners to establish a transition plan. This should include domestic resource mobilisation, improved internal controls, and infrastructure investment at both ZAMMSA and district levels.

“This transition period offers a critical opportunity to build a transparent and resilient health supply system,” Musosa emphasized.

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