Minister decries theft of drugs in hospitals

Minister of Health Jean Kalirani has said drug pilferage by some officers in public hospitals puts lives of patients at risk because some drugs are sold on the markets while expired.

Speaking in an interview when she received medicines and pharmaceutical supplies worth K10 million (US$24 331) from Islamic Relief Malawi yesterday, Kalirani said stealing drugs is an offence.

Said Kalirani: “It is a pity when a patient goes to the hospital only to find that there are no drugs because some unscrupulous individuals have stolen them. What people should know is that government spends a lot of money on buying drugs,” Kalirani said.

She, therefore, appealed to the public to report to responsible authorities any health worker caught stealing drugs.

Commenting on the donation from the Islamic Relief Malawi, Kalirani said it has come at the right time because it directly responds to the ever-increasing demand of medical supplies in most hospitals in the country.

Islamic Relief Malawi head of programmes Sherifa Mia said they donated the drugs to cover the shortfall that most hospitals face in the country.

“We know that there are drug shortages in most hospitals and when we contacted the Islamic Relief USA, they responded to our plea instantly. These drugs will be donated to health centres in Zomba and Machinga districts where we are also running fish farming and vegetable growing projects in these two districts,” said Mia.