Thieves of medicines and medical supplies should face custodial sentences, says MHEN

The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has appealed to the judiciary to impose custodial sentences on individuals convicted of stealing medicines and medical equipment, rather than issuing fines.

MHEN Executive Director George Jobe made the call while reacting to an incident where Police in Lilongwe uncovered a cache of stolen medical drugs, as well as HIV and malaria testing kits.

Police arrested Jasaphat Kamunda, a foreign national on Tuesday following months of investigations linking him to an alleged scheme involving the diversion of drugs and diagnosis kits from public hospitals.

It is reported that the suspect is believed to have been working with insiders within the health system who allegedly siphoned medicines meant for patients.

MHEN Executive Director George Jobe said the continued theft of medical supplies undermines Malawi’s health system at a time when resources are already stretched. 

He argued that available medicines could save more lives if they were not diverted from public facilities.

“When we talk about the health budget not being adequate and advocate for more funding, what is available could save more people if theft of this nature were not happening,”Jobe said.

He said fines are ineffective in deterring offenders because those involved often have access to significant funds and can bail each other out. 

Jobe alleged that the theft operates like a cartel, with some individuals stealing supplies and others buying them for resale.

“These people have money, and if the sentence is a fine, they can pay it, even in the millions, and bail each other out. To deter would-be offenders, there is a need for a stiff custodial sentence.” He said

Jobe said the impact falls heaviest on poor patients who rely on public health facilities. 

He noted that patients are often told to buy medicines privately or go without tests due to shortages caused by theft, forcing some to return home without care.

“Behind these businesses are the poor who go to our health facilities and are told to go and buy these medicines because we don’t have them, or we cannot test you because we don’t have test kits, such people go home and some of them die because they cannot afford to go to private health facilities.” He said.

Jobe commended the Malawi Police Service and its partners for a recent arrest linked to the theft.