—- Set to Announce Indictment Shortly
IPNEWS: The government of Joseph N. Boakai seems to be breaking away from the past in its pursuit to reinstate fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in the functionaries of government particularly the Health Sector.
Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Louise Kpoto as revealed that the government of Liberia has apprehended the rank-leaders of a cartel that continue smuggled and sell donated drugs by donor partners which brought unwarranted embarrassment to the government, especially depriving ordinary Liberians of much-needed quality health services.
Making the disclosure at the official launch of the anti-malaria vaccine, Dr. Kpoto, an acclaimed surgeon, stated in retrospect of the Legislature to the new additional of 9million United States dollars, assured House Speaker Fonati Koffa that members of the Legislature that her administration will leave no stone unturned in this ongoing investigation to bring to booked those involved in the donated drugs sales.
She said already investigators have appended major players into the sales of donated drugs and an indictment is to shortly be serve on those involved.
Dr. Kpoto emphasized that the Legislature could count her of an open and transparent utilization of all monies given to the Ministry of Health, especially in bringing to booked those involve in acts of corruption at the Ministry of Health as evident by recent indictment of some members of the Margibi county Health team involved in a conspiracy to dup government of millions.
The Health Minister’s assurance comes in the wake of last week call by Jim Wright, Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for an impartial investigation into sales of donated drugs to pharmacies in Liberia.
James Wright, USAID Mission Director to Liberia, told the Voice of America Day Break Africa programme Monday, April 22,2024, that the government of former Liberian President George Manneh Weah, misappropriated at least US$14 million worth of medical supplies donated to the country.
Mr. Wright stated that the medical supplies were not used for its intended purpose, terming such acts fraudulent and unethical.
The USAID Mission Director reiterated on the VOA 90 percent of the medical supplies were sold depriving citizens contrary to USAID’s humanitarian gesture to the country in 2023.
He stated that the continuous health challenges faced by the country are as a result of public officials’ lack of political will to work in the interest of the country and its citizens.
USAID is the United States Agency for International Development, which advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.
In a swift response to James Wright’s assertion, former Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah termed the statement as unrealistic.
Dr. Jallah added that despite reports of stolen medical supplies, the Ministry launched an investigation which proved that nothing was stolen.
Last week, Jim Wright, USAID Mission Director alleged that at least 90% of pharmacies in Liberia sold stolen medicines donated by aid organizations.
USAid Mission Director Jim Wright stated that such “acts of fraud” prevented Liberians from receiving donated essential medicines.
“That is unacceptable. That means that medicine is only available to patients that have enough money to buy them,” Mr Wright said.
Following the revelation, six Liberian civil groups have launched a national media campaign aimed at monitoring the distribution of aid medical supplies and raising awareness that donated medicines are free and should not be sold.
Mr Wright called for increased accountability, including the prosecution of those guilty of stealing and selling donated health supplies.
Mr. Wright termed the campaign launch as a pivotal moment in their collective efforts to address a critical issue affecting every Liberian’s health and well-being.
He used the occasion to thank the government, urging the need to recognize the tremendous efforts of Liberian healthcare workers.
Mr. Wright acknowledged the invaluable work of community health assistants in Liberia, adding that they play a crucial role in detecting and treating diseases like malaria. They contributed to Liberia’s success in cutting childhood malaria cases in half, with support from the U.S.
Mr. Wright indicated that in the president’s Malaria Initiative last year, life-saving medicines and other medical supplies worth 14 million US dollars were donated to the people of Liberia by the (USAID) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
He pointed out that those essential health products significantly reduce preventable deaths.
The USAID envoy expressed conviction that the Government of Liberia will also benefit from constructive partnerships with the Coalition, citing the example of Liberia’s National Public Health Initiative.
“To make a meaningful and sustainable impact on reducing fraud, the Government of Liberia must also assume more responsibility for ensuring accountability,” he said.
He added that the recent indictment of former Margibi County Health Team members and other complicit parties for corruption is a step in the right direction.
Mr. Wright stated that the next important step that the government should embark on is prosecution, and if the accused are found guilty, they must be punished by the law.
IPNEWS understand that the Liberian government is to shortly issue a statement on this latest statement by the USAid Mission Director Jim Wright.
Research conducted by the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, says several public health facilities in Liberia are experiencing the lack of essential drugs and medical supplies.
