Audit uncovers K1.4 billion procurement irregularities at ZAMMSA
MINISTER of Health Roma Chilengi has revealed procurement irregularities, missing stock records and weak internal controls at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), following an independent forensic audit.
Speaking in Parliament, Professor Chilengi said the audit found that contracts worth K1.4 billion were awarded despite internal audit objections, while some prices were inflated by up to 1,613 per cent.
He said 4,996 shipments disappeared from the Agency’s system, while 3.34 million units of medicines and medical supplies, valued at about K290 million, could not be verified.
The audit also revealed K42 million in unexplained distribution discrepancies and a K16.1 million contract awarded to an unregistered supplier.
Professor Chilengi said the findings exposed weaknesses in governance, management, procurement and recordkeeping, contributing to concerns over medicine availability in public health facilities.
He said the Government had dissolved the Agency’s board and removed its chief executive and other directors, while law enforcement agencies had launched investigations that had resulted in some arrests.
The minister said the Government was implementing a comprehensive overhaul of ZAMMSA aimed at improving accountability, transparency and efficiency throughout the medicines supply chain.
He added that funding for medicines and medical supplies had increased to K6.4 billion in 2026, from K1.6 billion in 2021.
ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL