How NDA board disappointed health minister
Feb 28, 2020
The old board was headed by Medard Bitekyerezo, the former Mbarara Municipality Member of Parliament and head of the Parliamentary Health Committee who was sworn in February 2017.
NDA
Despite their mandate to supervise drugs in the Country to ensure there is no counterfeit, the National Drug Authority board has failed the Country which has led to the breakdown of delivery of health services.
According to Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the minister of Health, some board members are interested in money and titles and have not done much to supervise the drugs being consumed in the Country.
During the swearing-in of the new board Aceng lashed out the old board for failures registered during their term of office. The old board was headed by Medard Bitekyerezo, the former Mbarara Municipality Member of Parliament and head of the Parliamentary Health Committee who was sworn in February 2017.
The 20-member new board is also chaired by Bikekyerezo. Other members include Dr. Henry Mwebesa, director general health services at Ministry of Health, AIGP Grace Akullo, Dr. Grace Nambatya Kyeyune, Dr. Baterana Byarugaba, Dr. Nelson Musoba, Dr. Moses Kamabare, Dr. Sylvia Baluka, Maj. Gen Ambrose Musinguzi, Agaba Raymond, Jamil Mukwaya, Dr. Pakoyo Kamba Fadhiru, Dr. Hanifah Naamala Sengendo, Catherine Adok, Dr. Bildard Baguma, Neville Oteba, Dr. Daniel Obua, and Hussein Oria.
"As the authority, stop the small fights and ignore those who want to divert you. Talk less and do more. Use the ability, knowledge, and wisdom God has given you. Over 40 million Ugandans are looking at you for safe drugs. You are expensive to maintain, so when we give you documents to read, read them. We facilitate you to do research, do it, do not just come for sitting allowance and breakfast. Stop being selfish. Be innovative so that you save Ugandans from counterfeits," Dr. Aceng said.
In a tough voice, the minister also blasted the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda and veterinary board members for failure to supervise pharmacies and animal drug operations, which has led to an increase in over the counter sale of drugs that are not supposed to be sold without a doctor's prescription.
"Greed, corruption, and selfishness have eaten the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda. The infighting has kept you behind. Even the Nurse council has progressed, but the pharmacists are just fighting for titles. Stop thinking with small minds and stop struggling for titles. A title is nothing when you do not work. People are purchasing class C drugs over the counter because of you. If you go to any pharmacy right now, you will not find any licensed pharmacist. They are always looking for money. The money will choke you. Check your profession," Aceng added.
Last year, High court judge, Musa Ssekana slapped a fine of sh20m on Dr. Aceng for contempt of court.
The fine stemmed from a petition by David Ekau challenging the minister's decision to block him from being inaugurated as a representative of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda to the National Drug Authority in 2017.
In her closing remarks, the minister also called upon Veterinary board members to be serious and stop wars because selfishness will not take them anywhere. She advised them to stop bringing fake medicines for the animals. She announced that NDA is going to start handling food and all medical devices in the country if the bill is passed.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Bitekyerezo committed to working with Dr. David Nahamya, the secretary to the authority and his entire staff to ensure the body attains its mandate.
"I am going to strengthen intelligence gathering and regulatory action against counterfeit medicines in the market, my team will strengthen the capacity of NDA to detect and avert illegal importation of drugs and promote local production of essential drugs," noted Bitekyerezo.
He outlined five areas of his priority among which include the lobbying for the enactment of the National Food and Medicine Authority 2017.