Allexer Namundjebo
The Ministry of Health and Social Services is under scrutiny after Member of Parliament Job Amupanda raised concerns about the procurement of malaria treatment tablets allegedly brought into the country through the Ngoma Border Post.
Amupanda shared on his official social media platforms that his investigative platform, Eagle 25, obtained documents showing the government paid N$1,500 per pack of 100 malaria tablets.
He indicated that the purchase involved 300 packs, costing a total of N$450,000.
However, the original supplier charged only R580 (about N$696) per pack.
“Assuming the transportation cost was N$50,000, a crazy figure, the middlemen still scored N$225,000, just for this one product,” Amupanda wrote.
He added that the reported side effects no longer recommend the medication, but he did not specify the drug or cite regulatory guidance.
“This is how rallies of the corrupt are funded, Omupulakeni. This is how pockets are lubricated. I expect someone to start explaining, he said.
The Windhoek Observer reached out to the Ministry of Health for clarification but had not received a response at the time of publication.
This publication requested confirmation of whether the procurement documents are authentic and why tablets reportedly no longer recommended were chosen for use in the public health sector.
The inquiry also included the ministry’s oversight measures to prevent inflated pricing and whether an investigation will be launched into the alleged profiteering by middlemen.
According to documents shared by Amupanda, the Quinine Surph 300 MG, in packs of 100 tablets, costs R580.49 (about N$696.59) per pack.
The total for 300 packs is R174,147.00 (about N$209,000).
The medication is to be exported from Vorster Maverick and Kaye (Pty) Ltd in the Western Cape, South Africa.
A purchase order numbered 235503, made by West Pharmaceutical Supplies (Pty) Ltd on behalf of the Health Ministry, showed that the same medication ordered on the 8th will cost N$1,500 per pack, totalling N$450,000.
The Health Ministry’s procurement practices have faced scrutiny recently. In 2023, the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) was questioned for attempting to award a N$458 million medical tender to Fabupharm without a competitive bidding process. The incident raised concerns about transparency and fairness.
In another case, a CPBN bid evaluator awarded an N$48 million tender to a close corporation owned by her relative, leading to allegations of conflict of interest and nepotism.
These incidents led stakeholders to call for reform in the procurement system.
Renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Helena Ndume previously criticised middlemen, saying they hinder healthcare delivery in Namibia.
Former health minister Bernard Haufiku also spoke out against “tenderpreneurs,” urging a transparent and efficient procurement process.
During her election campaign, Swapo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah had called for fairness in public procurement last year, stressing the need to put the nation’s well-being above individual interests.
