BY NED GAGAHE
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is enhancing security with the recent installation of CCTV cameras at National Medical Stores.
This move is part of new resolutions implemented by the ministry last week to mitigate the risks of unauthorized removal of medicine.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Paul Popora Bosawai revealed that he had recently ordered the dismissal of several health officers in the provinces suspected of stealing medicine.
The Minister also stated that a staff member suspected of theft has been reassigned from the National Medical Stores and is now under further supervision at the ministry.
Mr Bosawai also disclosed that, as of last week, the office space for National Medical Store staff is now separate from the National Medical Store warehouse. Previously, staff and medical goods were housed in the same location.
The Minister informed Parliament that there is now restricted entry and access to the National Medical Store, along with the provision of staff lockers to prevent personal bags from entering the main warehouse.
“National Medical Stores has tightened its security protocols with 24/7 security at the facility,” said Bosawai.
“We have restricted entry and access to the National Medical Store and provided staff lockers to prevent personal bags from entering the main warehouse. As of early last week, we have installed CCTVs both inside and outside the warehouse to monitor potential risks of theft.”
The Minister also stated that CCTV installation will be extended to the National Referral Hospital.
“At the National Referral Hospital, we are implementing structural measures to minimize access to the pharmacy’s stores. Additional measures will soon separate drug storage areas in the hospital wards from staff lodges and changing areas. Similar to the installation of CCTVs at the National Medical Store, we will extend this security upgrade to the NRH Pharmacy stores,” Bosawai said.
“The Ministry is developing policies and standard operating procedures to restrict inappropriate access and prescribing rights at the NRH, as well as at Provincial Hospitals, with plans to extend these measures to all health facilities,” the Minister added.
