Politics

MBABANE – Prime Minister (PM) Russell Mmiso Dlamini has stated that implementing the Funduzi report into the drugs shortage in the country is challenging.

Known as the Forensic Audit Report on the Acquisition and Distribution of Medicines to Public Health Facilities in Eswatini, the report was tabled in Parliament in line with Section 2017(5) of the Constitution of Eswatini and Section 16 (1) (2) of the Audit Act No 4 of 2005.

It followed a public outcry over the lack of access to basic healthcare despite significant investments made in procuring drugs and medical supplies.

During the debate of his report detailing government’s plan to address the health challenges, the PM was questioned on the partial implementation of the Funduzi report.

He was asked to state the mechanisms in place to ensure the full implementation of this and other reports.

In his tabled responses, the PM said: “It is important to note that the Funduzi report was not accepted by the previous administration or the current one, because it is a problem itself in terms of the standard, hence it is difficult to implement.”

It should be noted that this is not the first probe into the drug shortage crisis.

In June 2017, then Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini set up a task team to investigate the inconsistent availability of medical supplies.

The team, chaired by the late Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Sikelela Dlamini, was established under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, with Cabinet’s support.

The 15-member Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Health Service Delivery was announced during a press conference at the Cabinet Offices.

The late PM acknowledged the serious challenge posed by the inconsistent availability of medicines and medical supplies from the Central Medical Stores (CMS), stating that the issue could not be blamed on a single ministry.

Preliminary assessments highlighted several shortcomings, including late payments to suppliers, capacity weaknesses and lack of accountability in inventory control.

The team was given six weeks to produce a report with actionable solutions.

Terms of reference included identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in medicine supply; presenting a supply chain schematic framework with clearly assigned responsibilities; and creating an accountability policy.

The report was also expected to propose time-based, measurable action targets.

By July 2017, the task team submitted the ‘Prince Sikelela Report’, containing several recommendations; including restructuring some units within the Health Ministry and ensuring that each public health clinic had at least one pharmacy assistant.

Other recommendations included allowing per-invoice supplier payments to improve cash flow and ensure continuous supply.

However, most of the recommendations were not implemented, as confirmed by Auditor General (AG) Timothy Matsebula.

Full story in today’s publication.

Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini says implementing the Funduzi report into the drugs shortage in the country is challenging. (Courtesy pic)