Parliamentary committee to visit Natpharm depots after revelations of dire state
via NewsDay Zimbabwe6 min read
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care has announced a series of site visits to National Pharmaceutical Company Natpharm depots across Zimbabwe. This decision follows two weeks of oral evidence from the Health and Child Care ministry and Natpharm officials, which exposed significant financial distress, mounting debts, and operational challenges at the parastatal. Natpharm, responsible for supplying medicine to public hospitals, is reportedly owed millions by the Government of Zimbabwe, its sole shareholder, which has hampered its ability to procure medicines and pay suppliers. Committee chairperson and Emakhandeni-Luveve legislator Descent Bajila highlighted that recent changes in United States government foreign funding have also disrupted Natpharm鈥檚 storage revenue stream. Bajila emphasized that a functional Natpharm is crucial for Zimbabwe's health security, economic resilience, and industrial growth, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals and the National Development Strategy 2. The committee believes these visits will help verify the extent of the problems and guide recommendations to stabilize the critical health institution.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Must ReadZimbabwe aims to achieve US$1.56 billion in tourism revenue by 2026. The country is also seeking to boost its climate recovery efforts with a US$25 million initiative and is exploring membership in the AIIB for infrastructure funding, particularly in the energy sector. Additionally, Zimbabwe is looking to expand rabbit exports to African markets and is working on digitizing the Deeds Office to accelerate property transactions. Political tensions are noted, with concerns about Zanu PF's influence and a potential referendum. The ADF has urged South Africa to cease support for Zanu PF.
Must ReadZimbabwe is targeting a tourism revenue of US$1.56 billion by 2026. Other news includes political developments such as a Supreme Court declaration regarding a divorce consent dispute, discussions around the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 2026, and alleged financial power usage by Zanu PF to advance a one-party state agenda. Economic initiatives include an ambassador backing a rabbit export drive to African markets, a US$25 million climate recovery boost, and efforts by Ncube to secure infrastructure funding from AIIB. Social issues like political tensions leading to violence and forced evictions are also reported. Additionally, there are calls for Zimbabweans in South Africa to take precautions due to xenophobia, and an urge for South Africa to cease support for Zanu PF.
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