Witness pins health ministry officials
Apr 22, 2010
THE three senior officials in the Ministry of Health, charged with mismanaging anti-malaria drugs donated by Chinese government, unlawfully requisitioned for the drugs, court heard on Wednesday.
By Edward Anyoli
THE three senior officials in the Ministry of Health, charged with mismanaging anti-malaria drugs donated by Chinese government, unlawfully requisitioned for the drugs, court heard on Wednesday.
The malaria control programme officer, Dr. Richard Ndyomugenyi, a senior medical officer, Dr. Myers Lugemwa, and Martin Shibeki, a programme assistant, were charged with corruption.
James Ssekitoleko, a researcher with the health ministry, whose role was to manage drug storage, said the officials made several requisitions without indicating the purpose of the drugs.
Ssekitoleko said Lugemwa, on October 17, 2008, made a request of 25,000 doses of drugs for Pilgrim, a private company, saying the drugs were for carrying out mass malaria treatment.
Court heard that Lugemwa made another request for 5,000 doses for Katakwi district.
He added that Lugemwa made another request for 120 doses of duocotexin, malaria drug on October 29, 2009, but did not indicate the purpose of the request.
Ssekitoleko told the anti-corruption court that Shibeki made a verbal request for six boxes of drugs on February 6 and another 17 boxes on February 27, last year.
He further testified that the doctor made a request for 900 doses for Gayaza High School.
Ndyomugenyi is said to have written to the Kabale chief administrative officer, saying 3,813 doses of malaria treatment drugs had been allocated to the district yet he requested for 4,413.
Ssekitoleko added that Ndyomugenyi made another request for 4,183 doses for Mulago hospital but it was not reflected on the requisition form.
THE three senior officials in the Ministry of Health, charged with mismanaging anti-malaria drugs donated by Chinese government, unlawfully requisitioned for the drugs, court heard on Wednesday.
The malaria control programme officer, Dr. Richard Ndyomugenyi, a senior medical officer, Dr. Myers Lugemwa, and Martin Shibeki, a programme assistant, were charged with corruption.
James Ssekitoleko, a researcher with the health ministry, whose role was to manage drug storage, said the officials made several requisitions without indicating the purpose of the drugs.
Ssekitoleko said Lugemwa, on October 17, 2008, made a request of 25,000 doses of drugs for Pilgrim, a private company, saying the drugs were for carrying out mass malaria treatment.
Court heard that Lugemwa made another request for 5,000 doses for Katakwi district.
He added that Lugemwa made another request for 120 doses of duocotexin, malaria drug on October 29, 2009, but did not indicate the purpose of the request.
Ssekitoleko told the anti-corruption court that Shibeki made a verbal request for six boxes of drugs on February 6 and another 17 boxes on February 27, last year.
He further testified that the doctor made a request for 900 doses for Gayaza High School.
Ndyomugenyi is said to have written to the Kabale chief administrative officer, saying 3,813 doses of malaria treatment drugs had been allocated to the district yet he requested for 4,413.
Ssekitoleko added that Ndyomugenyi made another request for 4,183 doses for Mulago hospital but it was not reflected on the requisition form.