FILE – For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Domingo]

A reshuffle is underway at the Central de Medicamentos e Artigos Médicos (CMAM), where the Minister of Health, Ussene Isse, has just dismissed nine managers in order to “inject greater dynamism into the execution of activities”. The shortage of medicines and medical supplies in healthcare facilities has become a constant topic of discussion in recent days, to the point that user dissatisfaction has reached the ears of the sector minister.

Recently, Jornal Domingo reported on the case at José Macamo General Hospital, where pregnant women are asked to present themselves at the maternity ward with gloves to support healthcare professionals. The situation at José Macamo Hospital also applies to the hospitals in Chamanculo, Manhiça, Morrumbala and Mogovolas

At Manhiça District Hospital, it has also become public knowledge that there is a shortage of medical supplies, including soap, which has affected the functioning of the operating theatre. The local managers’ call for help was answered by the private sector.

There have also been cases of theft of medicines exclusive to the National Health Service and their subsequent sale on the informal market. The most recent episode involved the mysterious disappearance of 864,000 antimalarials from the Matola warehouse in Maputo province. Additionally, significant quantities of medicines expire in one area, while in other warehouses across the country they do not even arrive.

Restructuring

It is in this context that the Minister of Health, Ussene Isse, decided to terminate the functions of several management and leadership staff at the Central Medicine and Medical Supplies Store, aiming to strengthen efficiency, transparency, and control over the procurement, storage, and distribution chain.

The objective is to reinforce good governance in the public pharmaceutical supply system and also to restore the confidence of users, partners, and other stakeholders. To achieve these results, several operational and administrative areas of CMAM, as well as other departments central to the procurement, management, and distribution of medicines and health products, were included.

The new leaders of the institution are expected to be announced in the coming days, once a selection process is completed that will observe criteria of merit, technical competence, and professional integrity, with the aim of renewing and strengthening the institution’s management capacity.

The “shake-up” did not affect CMAM’s Director-General, Noémia Escrivão, who remains in office, ensuring the coordination of the institution’s activities with interim teams. Jornal Domingo understands that several experienced personnel in medicine management have already been selected and appointed to ensure the implementation of the presidential formula: “do things differently to achieve different results”.

Quality medicines for all

As was appropriate, Jornal Domingo asked Minister Ussene Isse about the scope of the changes at CMAM, and he admitted that there is evidence the sector is not functioning properly.

“We found a critical situation caused by people. If we want to change the scenario, we cannot keep these people.

“Medicine management is a vital service for the country, and at the moment it is inefficient. We want to improve; we have to change the system. We are not persecuting anyone; we are simply putting in a new team to improve. Our goal is to ensure quality medicines for all.,” he detailed:

“We want to improve the entire medicine logistics chain in the country. From procurement, production, distribution, to security… We are setting up a different structure, with competent staff in the area. We want better management and control. This unit is vital. We want to achieve our goal, which is quality medicines for all.”

Managers affected

Ernesto Augusto Sambo – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Department for Goods and Services Procurement, appointed by ministerial order of 17 April 2019.

Aurora António Munguambe – relieved of her duties as Head of the Central Department for Internal Control, appointed by order of 3 October 2022.

Jaime Fraqueza – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Department for Information and Communication Technologies, appointed by order of 22 June 2017 from the Minister of Health.

Afonso Francisco Colaço Concilve – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Department for Distribution, appointed by order of 3 October 2022 from the Minister of Health.

Aurélio Zamba – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Division for Human Resources, appointed by order of 18 June 2020 from the Minister.

Aurélio Miguel Mutimba – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Division for Finance, appointed by order of 18 June 2020 from the Minister of Health.

António Filipe Armando – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Division for Administration, appointed by order of 29 April 2021 from the Minister of Health.

Américo Baptista Canda – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Division for Studies and Projects, appointed by order of 28 August 2023.

Júlio Jaime Malate – relieved of his duties as Head of the Central Secretariat, appointed by order of 18 July 2021 from the Minister of Health.

Source: Domingo