MHEN Prays For Stiffer Punishment On Stolen Medical Supplies

The Malawi Health Equity Network MHEN) has prayed for stiffer punishment for people found with stolen medicines and other medical supplies.

George Jobe, Executive Director for the Network was reacting to the recent arrest of a man in Mangochi district who was found with assorted medical drugs worth 8 million Kwacha.

While likening drug and medical supply theft to murder, Jobe said it is sad that the malpractice continues to happen despite various interventions aimed at curbing the same.

“It is very disheartening for the country to continue registering cases of drug thefts, we need very stiff punishment for those found stealing drugs because that is almost killing,” Jobe said.

In an interview, Jobe called for stiffer punishments for the country to ably end the vice arguing the development is leading to public hospitals experiencing shortages in essential medicines.

Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi (Phasom) has also condemned the rise in theft cases of medical drugs in the country’s public hospitals and has called for the speedy disposal of cases in courts.