New Heritage party outlines how to check massive stealing of drugs in health ministry

The New Heritage Party has called on the government to establish an independent, multi-stakeholder Health Supply Chain Commission to oversee drug procurement and distribution in light of ongoing thefts at the Ministry of Health.

The call comes after U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, revealed rampant theft of medical supplies and announced the suspension of US$50 million in annual U.S. health sector funding.

In a statement issued in Lusaka, party president Chishala Kateka described the U.S. decision as a national crisis requiring urgent government intervention.

She proposed that the commission include medical professionals, cooperating partners, opposition parties, and civil society representatives.

“This is not merely a diplomatic concern, but a national crisis with direct consequences for Zambians battling HIV, malaria, and other life-threatening conditions,” Kateka said.

She criticised the response from the Ministry of Health, noting that while it acknowledged systemic weaknesses and suspensions, it lacked concrete accountability, decisive leadership, and long-term reform.

“As Ambassador Gonzales rightly put it, there is no evidence yet of an organised law enforcement response to an organised criminal endeavour,” she stated.

Kateka said suspensions and digital stock tracking were inadequate if criminal networks continued to operate with impunity. She urged the government to go beyond press statements and take real action.

Read More: Huge indictment on govt, as U.S. cuts $50 million in medical aid to Zambia over alleged widespread theft of donated drugs

She called for:

Mandatory asset declarations and lifestyle audits for senior officials at the Ministry of Health and the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA)

Enhanced whistleblower protections and anonymous reporting platforms

Public, real-time dashboards for tracking medicine stock levels across health facilities

Fast-track court proceedings for implicated officials, with monthly public updates

Deployment of international forensic audit teams separate from government control

Kateka stressed that restoring donor confidence would require more than reactive measures and would demand leadership, integrity, and a sense of urgency.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.