Government Removes All ZAMMSA Staff in Major Medicines Supply Chain Reset

Health Minister Professor Roma Chilengi has announced that government has begun a reset of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, ZAMMSA, with all members of staff separated from the agency.

In a press statement issued on 2 October 2026, titled "Government Resets ZAMMSA to Restore Integrity in the National Medicines Supply Chain," Chilengi said the decision followed "years of repeated problems at the institution, complaints from stakeholders, and the forensic audit findings through an audit commissioned by the Office of the Auditor General."

According to the statement, the audit "found serious and widespread weaknesses across the entire cascade of the supply chain, including procurement, warehousing and distribution." It also found "irregular procurements at inflated prices, unaccounted-for stock, missing system records and the diversion of medicines meant for our public health facilities."

"In short, there are systemic failures at every level of the processes," Chilengi said.

The minister said all staff had been separated from the agency "in national interest" as part of the reset, and sought to reassure the public that medicine supply to health facilities would not be affected.

"I want to assure the public that the supply of medicines to health facilities will continue without interruption," the statement read. "An interim management team is in place. My Ministry will work closely with our cooperating partners and logistics providers to maintain distribution."

Chilengi said all separated staff would receive their dues in accordance with the law, and that government would move to install new management "as soon as possible."

"We will work around the clock to ensure that new management is in place as soon as possible. Open advertisements will shortly be shared in order to fill the vacant positions within a lean structure expected to run an efficient system," he said.

The minister thanked health workers, cooperating partners and the public for their continued support.