ZAMMSA AWARDS K600 MILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS TO LOCAL SUPPLIERS TO STABILIZE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINES*

 

 In line with their three pronged strategy of curbing the stock imbalances of medicines and medical supplies in Zambia, the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has, through a Mop-Up exercise, awarded contracts, to 24 local suppliers, worth over K600 million for the immediate supply of essential medicines and medical supplies. 

ZAMMSA Senior Manager Corporate Bradley Chingobe said to sustainably inhibit the shortages of medicines and medical supplies in the public health facilities, ZAMMSA devised a three-fold strategy to address the stock imbalances. 

He explained that the the first strategy was the bulk supply of medicines through the Government to Government approach with the Arab Republic of Egypt, the second one was through the support of United Nations Agencies such as UNICEF, UNDP, Global Fund and the third one is the Mop-Up exercise whereas ZAMMSA purchases much needed essential medicines and medical supplies from the local market.

Mr Chingobe noted that this Mop-Up is an immediate intervention aimed at addressing the stock imbalances at tertiary level of healthcare service delivery. 

He said It was conducted through an Open-National-Tender and attracted 31 bids at the initial stage, which later was reduced to 24 after physical inspection and evaluation on the true availability of ex-stock from respective bidders.

He stated that the procurement process allows ZAMMSA to procure commodities within a short lead time as only suppliers with stock readily available were considered saying this in turn reduces on the delivery turnaround time.

Following the awarding of the contracts, ZAMMSA expects to see immediate improvement on stock availability in tertiary health facilities such as the University Teaching Hospital, Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital, Ndola Teaching Hospital, Livingstone General Hospital and all tertiary level hospitals across the country.

He added that the Agency will soon commence the distribution of health center kits to all facilities offering primary healthcare services. 

Mr Chingobe said this will push the stock levels to above 85% at primary healthcare level, a move that will also help mitigate the demand and pressure at tertiary level.