US threatens to suspend K114bn malaria fund
Malawi risks losing K114 billion ($203,571,429) funding for the fight against Malaria from the US government if wide-spread theft of drugs is not stopped.
Visiting US Global Coordinator on Presidential Malaria initiative (PMI) Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer and US Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer issued the warning at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Monday.
Palmer said corruption and theft of drugs are some of the several challenges undermining years of progress in the fight against malaria, particularly because resources available for the fight are insufficient.
She then suggested that the Ministry of Health should submit amendments to parliament on the Pharmacies, Medicines and Poisons board Act in order to stiffen penalties for theft of medicine.
Palmer also warned that Washington will be forced to cut funding if the situation is not controlled, urging Malawi to stop the malpractice by April 2016 or risk a drug stock-out of malaria treatment in the country.
“We need drug theft to stop, we need the public to play a role in identifying it, reporting it and holding the people responsible accountable,” she urged.
On his part, Admiral Ziemer said theft of drugs would jeopardize the gains Malawi has achieved, adding that the malpractice is pulling back efforts of the multibillion-dollar aid.
“As a leading donor of malaria treatment drugs and other supplies in Malawi, the US government is extremely concerned about any diversion of donated medicines” he said
Between 2006 and 2015, the US government Presidential Initiative on Malaria has contributed about K114 billion for the purchase of Malaria drugs, among other things.
koma malawi ndidziko lonvetsa chison these days it has lost its glory….. kamuzu adamwaliradi sure..
if they dont want to help us why the gorvenment is not trying to find solution by seeking help from other countries ….or introducing tough measures and cuts to bring our country back..
i was president i could have gone to russia or north korea for help
From the time kamuzu died up to now still going down the slop…BAKILI CAME destroyed it,, Bingu tried to build up,, but we did not like him…he went still loved…Joyce nayeso wadyapo wapita … Peter wabwera akudya still not building the country for change.
Malawians we have to gree that KAMUZU HE WAS AMAN… he left the country in good order. Big mistake was bakili
Come on wtf! let fucking money go do we have to bend begging all the time cant fucking people see how much begging is makaing Malawi lazy and stupid how the fuck did kamudzu manage to keep Malawi going back then when the world was so rough and tough this idiots you keep on voting for dont contribute to Malawi growth at all but cashgates and I know you fucking national news wont publish my comment and fuck you too
This is the country you call “a God-fearing Nation”, but full of thieves. They steal anything, from street signs, to bridge railings, hospital medicine to tax-payers money. God help us.