Africa-Press – Liberia. Jim Wright, the USAID Mission Director to Liberia, has pledged his commitment to combating corruption and mismanagement within the public health supply chain for donated medications.
Wright emphasizes the urgency of ending drug stockouts in Liberia while stressing the need for collaborative efforts, stating he cannot achieve this goal alone. “USAID is committed to ending corruption and mismanagement within the public health supply chain for donated medications and putting a stop to drug stockouts. But we cannot do it alone,” he said.
The USAID Mission Director, who spoke recently at the launch of a national campaign aimed at improving access to medicine for the people of Liberia, maintained that partnerships are the key to overcoming these challenges and that every stakeholder has a role to play. He further lauded the efforts of the Civil Society Health Coalition, a beacon of hope in the fight against corruption. Through tireless advocacy and grassroots initiatives, these organizations were instrumental in monitoring distributions, resolving issues, and raising awareness. But amidst the accolades, Wright did not shy away from confronting a harsh reality – the theft, fraud, and mismanagement that plagued the distribution of donated medicines. He said, “Continued corruption and supply chain mismanagement threaten the ability of USAID and other international partners to provide vital health products. We must all do our part to improve the integrity and performance of the medical supply chain system.”
The USAID Mission Director’s words painted a stark picture of empty shelves in public health facilities juxtaposed against well-stocked private pharmacies, where stolen medicines were readily available at a price. “This is unfair and immoral,” Wright declared, his voice tinged with resolve. “Every Liberian deserves access to lifesaving medicine, regardless of their financial means.”
Wright recounted that last year, life-saving medicines and other medical supplies worth $14 million were donated to the people of Liberia by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. “These essential health products,” he said, “significantly reduce preventable deaths and severe illnesses due to diseases that can be treated or cured. They are a vital tool in our partnership with the Ministry of Health to eliminate these deadly diseases in Liberia.”
Wright’s call to action extended beyond rhetoric. He implored the Liberian government to collaborate with civil society as allies in the pursuit of accountability. Recent successes, such as the exposure of corruption within the Margibi County Health Team, served as a testament to the power of such partnerships. He also encouraged the new Minister of Justice to move forward with investigations targeting the wider networks responsible for stealing donated medicines from the people of Liberia and selling them for a profit. “Let us continue to strengthen our partnerships, hold ourselves and others accountable, and work towards a Liberia where no one suffers needlessly from preventable diseases,” Wright concluded.
Dr. Joshua T. Peters, Technical Specialist in the office of the Chief Pharmacist/Supply Chain, speaking on behalf of Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Kpoto, echoed the sentiment of partnership and accountability. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the transparent and efficient distribution of donated medicines, aligning with President Joseph N. Boakai’s vision of universal access to healthcare resources.
Addressing the challenges in the last-mile distribution of medical supplies, Dr. Peters outlined various obstacles, including infrastructure limitations, logistical complexities, security concerns, and cultural factors. He stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure, strengthening supply chain management systems, and fostering community engagement to overcome these hurdles.
Also speaking, Madam Tanneh G. Brunson, Deputy Finance Minister for Budget, acknowledged the challenges inherent in providing quality healthcare services amidst resource constraints, highlighting the critical role of medicines in healthcare interventions. She underscored the need to address gaps in the supply chain to ensure the success of healthcare initiatives, particularly in the context of medication donations, which represent a significant global public health endeavor. Drawing attention to the magnitude of medicine donations received by countries globally, Madam Brunson stressed the importance of a well-functioning supply chain as the linchpin of Liberia’s healthcare delivery system. She stressed that the campaign aims to fortify supply chains through technical support mechanisms aligned with industry best practices, thereby enhancing the delivery of preventive medicines and minimizing wastage.
Madam Brunson hailed the launch of the campaign as a significant milestone in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and ensure equitable access to essential medicines for all citizens. She lauded the strategic partnership between government institutions, civil society organizations, and international donors as a testament to collective action in addressing complex healthcare issues.
In closing, Madam Brunson called upon all stakeholders to rally behind the campaign, urging concerted efforts to streamline supply chain processes, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and ensure the efficient distribution of medicines. She expressed confidence that through collective action and unwavering commitment, Liberia can overcome healthcare challenges and build a resilient, responsive, and equitable healthcare system for all its citizens.
For her part, Cllr. Alenxandra Zoe, Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, said the launch of the campaign to improve the Supply Chain for Donated Medicine is not just a program; it is a call to action, a collective endeavor to address a critical issue that affects the health and well-being of our citizens. Cllr. Zoe observed that the supply chain for donated medicine is the lifeline of our healthcare system. It is the conduit through which essential medicines flow from donors to those in need. However, as we all know too well, this vital system is fraught with challenges and obstacles including corruption that hinder its effectiveness and efficiency. “We must acknowledge the reality: our current supply chain for donated medicine is not functioning optimally. This is so because bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and acts of corruption have plagued its operation, preventing medicines from reaching those who need them most in a timely and effective manner,” she said. According to her, this is a major concern for President Nyumah Boakai as he has made it a major component of his first 100 days deliverables. And we must all work together to ensure that this is achievable. We must act. We cannot afford to let corruption and unethical practices stand in the way of delivering life-saving medicines to our hospitals, clinics, and communities in Liberia. Cllr. Zoe maintained that this is also a major concern for Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, “We have a crucial role to play in driving change and holding our institutions accountable and bringing agents of corruption to book. We are the hope of the people, and it is our duty to ensure that we end this culture of impunity ends.”
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