Why IGG has launched an investigation into operations of National Medical Stores
"No government official is going to die in Mulago because there is no medicine. If there is no medicine, we will call the President and he will put us on a plane and take us to America. We are not victims of corruption."
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has launched a massive investigation into National Medical Stores (NMS) operations following a public outcry about the lack of drugs in government health facilities.
The lack of medicine has retarded the smooth operation of government hospitals; it has been said.
The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Betti Kamya, with her team, made an impromptu visit to NMS offices in Kajansi.
Kamya revealed that they are going to look into issues like paying staff, ghost workers, transport, ghost health facilities, procurement, finance and administration among others.
“I’m the IGG empowered by law to do what I’m doing. Whoever stands in my way will face the full wrath of the law. We’ve launched an investigation on NMS following public outcry over drug stock-outs in Uganda’s hospitals,” Beti Kamya said.
She cautioned all staff of NMS against corruption because government loses Shs10trillion to corruption every year. “No government official is going to die in Mulago because there is no medicine. If there is no medicine, we will call the President and he will put us on a plane and take us to America. We are not victims of corruption,”
The Chief Executive Officer of NMS, Moses Kamabare, expressed gratitude to the Inspectorate of Government and affirmed that there is a shortage of drugs in the Country.
While the country lacks other essential and much need medicines, Kamabare said, the country is stranded with 13 million Covid-19 doses.
The Inspectorate has adopted a strategy of including Ugandans in the fight against corruption by inciting them to get angry and join the war against the corrupt.
Information from the Ministry of Finance shows that poor planning, prioritization and forecasting are the key causes of medical stock-outs in Uganda.
Additionally, inadequate data management and monitoring systems to track amounts of drugs ordered, dispensed, prescribed and balances as well as non-supply of ordered items by NMS are among other issues.
Relatedly, in January this year, the Inspectorate of Government promised to investigate the persistent drug stock-outs in public health facilities.
While many health facilities in the country order medicines through the NMS and the Joint Medical Stores, often health facilities in rural areas do not have enough medicines while many in urban areas are reporting shortages at the same time.
Kamya said the Inspectorate has embarked on an inspection of government operations and will storm offices without notice.
