Govt closing in on medical theft culprits

The government is confident of making a breakthrough in unmasking those behind a multi-million-dollar medical theft syndicate, with health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao identifying employees from three key bodies under the ministry as central figures in the scandal.The minister fingered individuals in Central Medical Stores (CMS), the ministry’s Project Management Unit (PMU), and the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) as possible culprits.Luvindao has submitted a detailed report to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), calling for urgent investigations into how systemic corruption may have infiltrated the health ministry.Swift actionACC director-general Paulus Noa confirmed receiving the minister’s request and said the commission would move swiftly.“Yes indeed, the letter was received, and the ACC will investigate the allegations without delay,” Noa told Namibian Sun yesterday.At the centre of the latest scandal is the procurement of quinine malaria tablets valued at N$450 000, which reportedly entered the country through an undesignated border point. The medication, unregistered with the NMRC, was stocked at CMS and later distributed to public health facilities. The ministry has since issued a circular recalling the drugs, with facilities ordered to return them by Friday.The saga, first brought into the public spotlight by Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Professor Job Amupanda, is believed to be just the tip of the iceberg in what many suspect is years-long rot in the state’s medical procurement chain.Regulatory failuresThe minister’s call for an ACC probe follows revelations she made in parliament on Tuesday, where she outlined troubling signs of illegal procurement and regulatory failures.In her letter to the ACC, Luvindao cited specific provisions of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act of 2003 that may have been breached. These include Section 18 (prohibition on the sale of unregistered medicines), Section 27 (council’s authority to approve unregistered drugs), Section 45(3) (exemptions), and Regulation 37 (unauthorised points of entry).She further raised alarms about a suspected internal syndicate stealing medication en route to health facilities or directly from CMS, and allegedly reselling it back to the ministry at inflated prices under the guise of emergency procurement.“It’s alleged that perpetrators operate within CMS, the PMU, and NMRC, and that medication re-enters the country through unauthorised ports,” she wrote.In addition, Luvindao submitted a separate letter to the ministry of justice, titled Urgent Request for Nomination of Legal Experts to NMRC and Legal Guidance on Conflict of Interest. Legal guidanceIn it, she sought assistance on two matters: fast-tracking the appointment of a legal expert to the NMRC and obtaining guidance on removing a council member suspected of conflict of interest.“I won’t read out his name, as he is not present, and I’ve been advised not to name individuals in their absence. But we are urgently seeking legal guidance on this removal,” she said.Addressing public perceptions that she could simply dismiss council members, the minister clarified: “Let’s be clear. The narrative must not be that I can wake up one day and fire council members. That would expose the ministry to lawsuits. We follow due process.” She added that the Attorney General is now guiding the ministry on the matter.Conflict of interestAR’s Amupanda, who has been a key voice exposing the scandal, responded pointedly.“It is a fact that illegal importation of medicine is happening in our country - not just yesterday or last month, but today,” he said. “Minister, you are aware that medicine has been stolen from CMS and resold to the same institution. You also know which company is involved.”He further accused NMRC members of approving medication from companies in which they hold interests, without declaring conflicts.“These council members, whether substantive or ex-officio, sit in meetings, and not a single one has ever declared a conflict. Yet medicine from their companies has arrived and they push for its approval. That is a fact,” he charged.Amupanda also alleged that pharmaceutical company Fabupharm operated without a valid licence - something he said both the minister and the NMRC had acknowledged.“There were compliance issues. A recall was issued. Yet this company, which endangers public health, was granted a meeting with you, minister - accompanied by private lawyers. They pushed for a joint statement,” he said.He criticised the minister for allowing such engagements without guidance from the Attorney General, who by law is the government’s principal legal adviser.

Govt closing in on medical theft culprits

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

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Govt closing in on medical theft culprits

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-20

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