Africa-Press – Namibia. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it has received the first shipment of essential medicines and clinical supplies as part of the direct procurement initiative.
Last month, health minister Esperance Luvinda engaged directly with 41 international manufacturers and wholesalers to save the government N$221 million by cutting out middlemen.
This follows accusations that middlemen inflate medicine prices when procuring on behalf of the ministry.
The first batch, procured directly from manufacturers, officially arrived at the ministry’s Central Medical Stores, as part of the ministry’s effort to ensure a more efficient, transparent, and reliable medical supply chain.
“We are operating with a renewed sense of purpose to strengthen the nation’s health system. It is possible to reach a point where one does not pick up a newspaper and read about drug shortages in health facilities every other day. That is what we are working towards because it directly translates to a better quality of life for all citizens,” Luvindao says.
The tranche, received from Pfizer, is expected to be the first of continuous deliveries to be shipped in over the next few weeks and months. The ministry expresses its commitment to securing quality medicines at better value.
“The ministry is working hard to restore stock levels at the Central Medical Stores to over 80%. This first tranche of deliveries is testament to the ministry’s commitment. More shipments are on the way, with the next expected to arrive by 29 October,” says deputy executive director Theo-Ben Kandetu, who received the first shipment on behalf of the ministry’s executive director, Penda Ithindi.
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