MONROVIA—Jim Wright, the USAID Mission Director in Liberia, has pledged to combat corruption and mismanagement within the public health supply chain for donated medications.
By Francis G. Boayue
Wright underscored the urgent need to end drug stockouts in Liberia, which demands immediate attention and concerted government and civil society efforts to avert potential health crises.
“USAID’s unwavering commitment to eradicating corruption and mismanagement within the public health supply chain for donated medications and halting drug stockouts is a testament to the gravity of the situation. However, we acknowledge that this is a collective effort,” he emphasized.
The USAID Mission Director spoke Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Bella Casa Hotel during the “Campaign to Improve the Supply Chain for Donated Medicines ” launch. The event was organized by the USAID Civil Society Activity’s Health Coalition.
In October, CSA’s Health Coalition, comprising six civil society organizations, began monitoring the supply of donated medications in 120 health facilities in six counties: Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa. In addition to monitoring, the coalition is creating public awareness that the medicines are free and must not be sold.
Members of the coalition include Community Health Education and Social Services (CHESS); Efficient Research and Development Institute (ERDI); Humanity Above One-Self (HAOSF); Public Health Initiative of Liberia (PHIL); Volunteers United for Development (VUD); and Youth Network for Positive Change (YOUNETPO).
He lauded the USAID Civil Society Activity’s Health Coalition as a beacon of hope in the battle against corruption in the health sector. Their tireless advocacy and grassroots initiatives have been pivotal in monitoring the last-mile distribution of donated medications, resolving issues, and raising awareness.
Wright said the campaign seeks to improve Liberians’ access to medicine. Civil society monitoring donated medicines is USAID’s latest effort to address widespread fraud and mismanagement in the supply chain. Due to mismanagement, medicines are often sold, unaccounted for, or expired.
“Continued corruption and supply chain mismanagement threaten the ability of USAID and other international partners to provide vital health products,’’ he said. “We must all do our part to improve the integrity and performance of the medical supply chain system.”
Last year, the United States and the Global Fund donated 14 million dollars worth of life-saving medical supplies to fight Malaria, tuberculosis, and Malaria in Liberia. He cited a 2023 assessment that found that over 90 percent of the pharmacies in Liberia sell stolen medicine.
“This is unacceptable,” Wright said. “That means that medicine is only available for patients with enough money to buy it. Patients who do not have enough money are left to suffer. This is unfair and immoral.”
In his travels across Liberia’s 15 counties, he found empty shelves in public health facilities compared to well-stocked private pharmacies, where stolen medicines were readily available at a price.
“This important gift of medicine and medical supplies to the Liberian government is not a loan that needs to be repaid,’’ he said. “Instead, the taxes paid by Americans and citizens of other countries are used so Liberians may have the necessary medicine.’’
He also encouraged the new Minister of Justice to move forward with investigations that target the broader networks responsible for stealing donated medicines from the people of Liberia and selling them for a profit.
Justice Minister Tweh applauded the health coalition for its advocacy for service delivery in the health sector. He pledged the government’s support to crack down on the corruption of donated medicines.
“When drugs intended for the poorest among us fail to reach them, it results in unintended outcomes and consequences,’’ he said. “Corruption in all its forms must be combated. We as Liberians must do the right thing for our country and people.’’’
Dr. Joshua T. Peters, Technical Specialist in the office of the Chief Pharmacist/Supply Chain, speaking on behalf of Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Kpoto, echoed the sentiment of partnership and accountability.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the transparent and efficient distribution of donated medicines, aligning with President Joseph N. Boakai’s vision of universal access to healthcare resources.
Addressing the challenges in the last-mile distribution of medical supplies, Dr. Peters outlined various obstacles, including infrastructure limitations, logistical complexities, security concerns, and cultural factors.
He stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure, strengthening supply chain management systems, and fostering community engagement to overcome these hurdles.
Also speaking, Madam Tanneh G. Brunson, Deputy Finance Minister for Budget, acknowledged the challenges inherent in providing quality healthcare services amidst resource constraints, highlighting the critical role of medicines in healthcare interventions.
She underscored the need to address gaps in the supply chain to ensure the success of healthcare initiatives, particularly in the context of medication donations, which represent a significant global public health endeavor.
Drawing attention to the magnitude of global medicine donations received by countries, Madam Brunson stressed the importance of a well-functioning supply chain as the linchpin of Liberia’s healthcare delivery system.
She stressed that the campaign aims to fortify supply chains through technical support mechanisms aligned with industry best practices, thereby enhancing the delivery of preventive medicines and minimizing wastage.
Madam Brunson hailed the campaign launch as a significant milestone in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and ensure equitable access to essential medicines for all citizens.
She lauded the strategic partnership between government institutions, civil society organizations, and international donors as a testament to collective action in addressing complex healthcare issues.
Madam Brunson urged stakeholders to rally behind the campaign, urging concerted efforts to streamline supply chain processes, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and ensure the efficient distribution of medicines.
She expressed confidence that Liberia can overcome healthcare challenges and build a resilient, responsive, and equitable healthcare system for all its citizens through collective action and unwavering commitment.
For her part, Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, said the launch of the campaign to improve the Supply Chain for Donated Medicine is not just a program; it is a call to action, a collective endeavor to address a critical issue that affects the health and well-being of our citizens.
Cllr. Zoe observed that the supply chain for donated medicine is the lifeline of our healthcare system. She said the system is fraught with challenges and obstacles, including corruption, that hinder its effectiveness and efficiency.
“We must acknowledge the reality: our current supply chain for donated medicine is not functioning optimally,’’ Cllr. Zoe said. “ Bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and acts of corruption have plagued its operation, preventing medicines from reaching those who need them most in a timely and effective manner.’’
The LACC, she said, is troubled by the corruption in the supply chain for donated medications.
“We are the people’s hope, and we must ensure that we end this culture of impunity,’’ Cllr. Zoe said.