Zimbabwe's health officials want to fix medicine problems at government hospitals. They found that NatPharm has plenty of drugs but red tape stops them from reaching sick people. The company stores loads of important medicines but can't deliver them fast enough to clinics. President Mnangagwa visited hospitals and drug warehouses last week to see what was wrong. Health bosses decided they need better ways to move medicines from storage areas to patients.
Doctor Aspect Maunganidze runs the health department and says they're starting new computer systems to track medicine deliveries. The electronic system will replace old paper methods that slow everything down. Officials also plan to spread out storage centers and make money flow better for buying and moving drugs. They're talking with Treasury workers about getting steady cash for health needs. The ministry wants more support for diabetes and heart disease medicines that donors don't usually fund.
Government hospitals depend on Treasury money and patient fees to pay NatPharm for medicines. When those payments come late hospitals can't buy drugs even when they're available. Newman Madzikwa manages NatPharm and explains that his company needs prompt payments to keep working. He says medicines go through strict safety checks before leaving warehouses. Most orders get filled within six to eight months but emergency requests take just three days when possible.
Doctor Aspect Maunganidze runs the health department and says they're starting new computer systems to track medicine deliveries. The electronic system will replace old paper methods that slow everything down. Officials also plan to spread out storage centers and make money flow better for buying and moving drugs. They're talking with Treasury workers about getting steady cash for health needs. The ministry wants more support for diabetes and heart disease medicines that donors don't usually fund.
Government hospitals depend on Treasury money and patient fees to pay NatPharm for medicines. When those payments come late hospitals can't buy drugs even when they're available. Newman Madzikwa manages NatPharm and explains that his company needs prompt payments to keep working. He says medicines go through strict safety checks before leaving warehouses. Most orders get filled within six to eight months but emergency requests take just three days when possible.
