ZAMMSA Staff Separation Can Help Rebuild Trust - Jerome Kanyika

Pharmacist Dr Jerome Kanyika has backed the Government's decision to separate staff at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), describing the move as an opportunity to rebuild confidence in the institution responsible for a critical part of Zambia's medical supply chain.

In a media statement, Dr Kanyika said the separation of the existing workforce should not be viewed negatively, arguing that it could provide an opportunity for ZAMMSA to reset its operations and strengthen healthcare delivery.

He said ZAMMSA had faced serious allegations in recent years involving corruption, financial mismanagement, contract handling and poor performance, which he said had been reinforced by findings from a recent forensic audit.

Dr Kanyika argued that a fresh recruitment process could allow former employees to compete for positions alongside members of the general public, while ensuring that existing employees receive their legally due benefits.

He acknowledged that losing employment is difficult for affected workers but said he considered the intervention necessary to restore the reputation of ZAMMSA and rebuild confidence among the public and stakeholders in the medical supply system.

Dr Kanyika also called for the reform agenda to extend beyond ZAMMSA, urging the Minister of Health to consider similar institutional reviews across other areas of the health sector where weaknesses have been identified.

He further called for the recruitment process at ZAMMSA to be accelerated so that normal operations and the delivery of medical supplies can continue without prolonged disruption.

The debate comes as ZAMMSA remains central to the availability and distribution of medicines and other medical supplies across Zambia, making the agency's governance and performance directly relevant to health facilities and patients.

For Dr Kanyika, the proposed staff separation should therefore be viewed not simply as a workforce change, but as part of a wider effort to restore accountability, public confidence and effectiveness within the medical supply chain.