Drugs for Migori hospitals sold in Tanzania

What you need to know:

  • Unscrupulous medical workers are smuggling the drugs through the Isebania border, before selling them to the Tanzanian traders.
  • Mosquito nets have not been spared either. A number of them were recently impounded by the police while on transit over the border.

Drugs stolen from public hospitals in Migori County are finding their way into Tanzania.

Unscrupulous medical workers are smuggling the drugs through the Isebania border, before selling them to the Tanzanian traders.

The drugs, according to the Daily Nation investigations, are then sold and stocked in private clinics, mainly in Tarime District.

Mosquito nets have not been spared either. A number of them were recently impounded by the police while on transit over the border.

The massive theft of drugs has plunged the Migori health sector into a crisis because there is a consistent shortage of drugs.

The supplies seem to be leaving the stores as soon as they arrive. The county referral hospital, health centres and dispensaries are worst hit by this racket perpetuated by the staff.

Last Monday, during the Migori County Dialogue Forum, participants criticised officials in the health sector, and demanded the personal intervention of Governor Okoth Obado, who was also at the meeting.

On Sunday, Mr Obado said he would ensure public health services “become more efficient and reliable”.

“Theft of drugs and other excuses should be a thing of the past. My people will not continue to suffer because some staff cannot tame their greed to sell government drugs … I ask members of the public to help me end the vice,” said Mr Obado.

The drugs racket, explained the county boss, has caused suffering to patients who cannot afford the cost of medication in private hospitals. Mr Obado warned any staff found stealing drugs would be sacked on the spot.

“I will not entertain foul play in my health sector and nobody will be spared if found to be contributing to the suffering of our people,” he said.

As the drug shortage continues, the malaria prevalence rate in Migori county is at 38 per cent.