Theft Of Medicines, Medical Supplies Will Amount To An Aconomic Crime – President Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema says Government will stiffen laws around theft of medicines and medical supplies to curtail the vice.

The President has also asked the Ministry of Health to ensure that medicines and other medical supplies are delivered timely to all health facilities across the country to save lives. He was speaking at the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) 47th General Council, where he officiated, in Waterfalls area in Chongwe district today.

CHAZ is a non-profit body that is committed to facilitating provision of healthcare, particularly for the poor and vulnerable groups, while observing Christian values. The General Council ran under the theme: “church health institutions responding to health needs in the midst of global financial challenges.”

President Hichilema said any theft of medicines and medical equipment will amount to an economic crime. “We are re-classifying or changing the law; theft of medicines and other medical equipment will be economic crimes. No more an ordinary crime, but economic crime. “It will be heard through the Economic and Financial Crimes Court and there, cases are heard within five months. Also there will be no bail. And when you are convicted, we will come for the house which we believe you built through stealing medicines,” the President said.

President Hichilema also talked about the significance of the continued partnership between Government and the Church, further indicating how the government deeply values CHAZ as a trusted partner in health provision across the country.

He thanked CHAZ for its undying commitment to facilitating the provision of healthcare in Zambia, especially in the under-served and hard-to-reach areas.

The President said CHAZ’s sacrifice and healthcare provision service to outlying areas is truly commendable.

He added that the theme of the General Council is spot-on. “Challenges should not weaken us or dampen our spirit. Yes, the cut (by donors to the health sector) was abrupt but it’s a great opportunity for us to do things differently and better together,” the President said.

The President also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Health and CHAZ. “We see a lot more opportunities that we have not incorporated in our MoU. “I would like us to expand that MoU so that it includes more things that are logically connected but may have been left out. We will be happy to amend it,” he said.

On the issue of domestic resource mobilisation in the health sector, President Hichilema said more effort ought to be exerted. “There should be increased investments in the health sector, including infrastructure, because without a health population, there cannot be economic development,” said President Hichilema.

CHAZ executive director Karen Sichinga thanked President Hichilema for spearheading the sustenance of the partnership of Government and CHAZ.