Theft at health facilities on rise
What you need to know:
- Speaking in Magu last week, he said four people operating in private drug stores had been arrested during a crackdown on people possessing and selling government-owned medicine illegally.
Theft of drugs and medical equipment by health workers is increasing in public health facilities, according to Magu District Council Executive Officer Lutengano George.
Speaking in Magu last week, he said four people operating in private drug stores had been arrested during a crackdown on people possessing and selling government-owned medicine illegally.
According to the executive director, two of the suspects are from Kisesa Ward and the other two are from Sukuma and Mahaha areas respectively.
He added that a nurse working at Nyanguge Health Centre had been arrested for allegedly stealing an oxygen concentrator from the health centre.
He explained that the nurse allegedly cooperated with unidentified people and sold the medical equipment to a private health centre in Mwanza City.
“A criminal network gang, involving the medical staff, steals drugs and medical equipment from public health facilities for sale to some private health owners,” he said.
He also explained that during the crackdown, at least seven private drug stores were found operating and selling unregistered and illegal drugs.
The drugs, according to Mr Lutengano, are not recognised by the Tanzania Foods and Drugs Authority (TFDA).
A pharmacist in Magu District, Mr Sikujua Silvanus, revealed that some of the dishonest medical practitioners stole and hid medicine in their clothes before walking out.
“Some of the dishonest health workers involved in a medicine stealing syndicate wear stockings into which they stash stolen medicine,” he noted.
Mr Sikujua added that antiretroviral drugs were also disappearing mysteriously from health centres.
Some owners of private health facilities collaborate with the dishonest medical staff in public health facilities to make money out of stealing the drugs.
