By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe, November 27, Mana: Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, has assured Malawians that her ministry will strengthen supply chain of medicines to ensure availability of drugs at both district and rural health facilities.

Chiponda made the sentiments in Parliament on Tuesday in response to queries raised by Member of Parliament for Machinga East Constituency, Esther Jolobala.

Jolobala expressed concern that there are no drugs in many hospitals across the country.

In response, Kandodo Chiponda said everyday people are being discharged from the hospital due to good care and availability of medicines in all hospitals in the country.

“As a ministry, we have an essential package for medicines which will address 70 to 75 percent of diseases.

"There are many conditions or diseases in the country, but we look at which ones are the most common for example Malaria, Flue, ART, antibiotics and under five diseases. We make sure that all medicine concerning these are found in all hospitals in the country," she said.

She said despite some communication breakdown between district hospitals and health centres, Ministry of Health is working on improving it to ensure availability of medicines in every hospital in the country.

Chiponda said drug situation in the country has tremendously improved due to availability of resources and funds from the government and the World Bank.