CSOs protest K13m cost for destroying drugs
Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Rumphi District have spoken against the district council’s proposal to spend K13 million on disposing of expired drugs at Rumphi District Hospital.
The CSOs have since advised the council to look for cost-effective ways of destroying the drugs through consultations with relevant offices.
Speaking on Thursday when the district council engaged the CSOs on the issue, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) representative Moya Walita said there was no justification for the council to spend K13 million on disposing of expired drugs while the facility has many pressing issues that need financial resources.
He said: “We are talking of inadequate drug supply after the facility’s pharmacy was razed down by fire.
“Our suggestion is that we suspend this until we find a least costly solution to dispose of the drugs.”
Rumphi Residents Association representative Afiki Mbewe also said the K13 million was exorbitant.
In response, Rumphi district commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu said the budgeting was done by relevant offices after considering the number of offices required to be available when such exercises are done.
He said: “According to the law, we are supposed to have officers from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Department of Environment, National Audit Office and other relevant offices which are not based in the district.”
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