New ZAMMSA Board Assesses Operations



The Board of Directors impressed with medicine stocks during familiarisation tour

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 
Lusaka, Zambia24 (12-01-2026) – The newly appointed Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) board of directors has assessed operations at the agency’s procurement, storage and distribution centre during a familiarisation tour, expressing satisfaction with current medicine stock levels while identifying areas for operational improvement.

Board Chairperson Gershom Chungu said the board was encouraged by the availability of essential medicines following visits to eight key facilities. 

“We are impressed with the state of affairs at ZAMMSA. The levels of essential medicines in store are encouraging,” Chungu said.

He acknowledged that the agency has previously faced negative reports but said the new board, working with the recently appointed Director General, is focused on strengthening oversight and restoring public confidence.

“Our assignment is to provide leadership, improve staff welfare and ensure efficient service delivery. Transparency, anti-corruption measures and merit-based recruitment will be prioritised,” Chungu said.

Acting Director General Olive Chiboola assured the public that ZAMMSA has systems in place to track medicines throughout the supply chain. 

She said products are monitored from entry into the warehouse through to distribution at health facilities.

Chiboola explained that health facilities regularly report medicine usage and remaining stock, while ZAMMSA continues to invest in systems that will allow medicines to be traced up to the point of delivery to patients. 

She noted that occasional stock-outs of specific products may occur but said these do not indicate a failure of the system.

She further disclosed plans to engage local suppliers for medicines that can be produced within Zambia, a move aimed at improving efficiency and retaining funds within the local economy. 

Running contracts with local suppliers, she said, will strengthen the national medical supply chain.

Both Chungu and Chiboola noted that Zambia has expanded health facilities across all provinces and districts, including Community Development Fund (CDF) clinics, which has increased demand for medical supplies. 

The new board, they said, is committed to ensuring improved service delivery nationwide.

All rights reserved © Zambia24

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Brother, A Leader, A Lesson

Image
 Bishop Mwamba’s Tribute to Lungu Lusaka, Zambia24, Thursday, June 5, 2025 – United National Independence Party (UNIP) President Bishop Trevor Mwamba has paid tribute to the late Sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, describing him as a man of the people, a personal friend, and a national figure whose life and leadership offer Zambia both memory and lesson. In a statement delivered Thursday, Bishop Mwamba extended condolences to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the entire nation, while encouraging citizens to reflect not only on the man Lungu was, but on the legacy he leaves behind. “I, Bishop Trevor Mwamba, extend my sincere sympathies to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the Zambian people on the passing of His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu,” he said.  “As President of UNIP, I also convey our party’s deep condolences at this moment of national loss.” Recalling Lungu as his former classmate, Mwamba spoke warmly of the former president’s personal qualities—h...
Read more

Bishops Decry DEC Summons

Image
ZCCB Warns Against Using State Institutions to Silence Church Leaders By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (3-01-2026) - The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has condemned in the strongest terms the Drug Enforcement Commission’s (DEC) summons of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, describing it as a brazen attempt to intimidate the Church and silence its voice on governance. ZCCB President Archbishop Ignatius Chama said in a statement that the Bishops stand in unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Banda, who is scheduled to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the DEC on 5 January 2026.  The summons, delivered on 31 December 2025, comes amid a wave of public attacks and derogatory remarks against the Archbishop. The Bishops labelled the DEC action as unmistakably state-sponsored harassment, designed to punish Archbishop Banda for speaking truth to power and holding the government accountable.  Bishop Chama warned that weaponizing state institut...
Read more

Breaking Silence, Saving Lives

Image
Journalists Join Safe Motherhood Fight and are challenging taboos to protect women’s health. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 — (20-05-2025) - The Ministry of Health convened a critical media orientation in Lusaka to commemorate Safe Motherhood Week and the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, emphasizing renewed efforts to improve maternal health outcomes across Zambia. The event brought together media professionals, health experts, and key stakeholders to amplify messages on safe maternal health services and the urgent need to end obstetric fistula. In his keynote address, Dr. Aspha S. Choonga stressed the pivotal role of the media in advocating for women’s rights to safe, dignified, and respectful maternal health care. “Your presence here today is not just appreciated—it is vital,” Dr. Choonga said, urging media practitioners to break taboos and inform the public on these critical issues. He outlined the four pillars of Safe Motherhood: family planning, antenatal care, c...
Read more