ZAMMSA Awards K600 Million Contracts to Local Suppliers to Enhance Medicine Availability
The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has executed a Mop-Up exercise, awarding contracts worth over K600 million to 24 local suppliers in a bid to address stock imbalances of essential medicines and medical supplies.
This strategic initiative is aimed at stabilizing the availability of crucial healthcare resources within the country’s public health facilities.
Bradley Chingobe, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at ZAMMSA, emphasized the agency’s commitment to addressing stock imbalances through a comprehensive three-pronged strategy.
This strategy includes bulk supply agreements via government channels with the Arab Republic of Egypt, support from United Nations agencies like UNICEF, UNDP, and the Global Fund, as well as the recent Mop-Up exercise involving local procurement.
The Mop-Up exercise, described as an immediate intervention, specifically targets stock imbalances at tertiary-level healthcare facilities. Conducted through an Open-National-Tender process, it attracted initial interest from 31 suppliers, which was later narrowed down to 24 after rigorous physical inspections and evaluations of available stock.
Chingobe highlighted the efficiency of the procurement process, emphasizing the agency’s ability to swiftly acquire commodities from suppliers with readily available stock. This streamlined approach is expected to significantly reduce delivery turnaround times, ensuring timely availability of medicines and medical supplies.
The awarded contracts are anticipated to yield immediate improvements in stock availability at tertiary health facilities such as the University Teaching Hospital, Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital, Ndola Teaching Hospital, Livingstone General Hospital, and other tertiary-level hospitals nationwide.
Moreover, ZAMMSA plans to initiate the distribution of health center kits to primary healthcare facilities across the country, aiming to elevate stock levels to above 85%. This proactive measure not only addresses immediate supply issues but also alleviates pressure on tertiary-level facilities by mitigating demand at the primary care level.
In conclusion, Chingobe reiterated ZAMMSA’s unwavering commitment to becoming a world-class supply chain of essential medicines and medical supplies, ultimately contributing to a productive and healthy Zambia. The agency’s efforts underscore a proactive approach to addressing healthcare challenges and ensuring access to critical resources for all citizens.
