Individuals steal drugs from primary health care units at payam level for sale in private clinics.
An officer in charge of a Primary Health Care (PHC) unit disclosed to Radio Emmanuel that some health officers from the state headquarter collect drugs from them, claiming shortage of medicines at the main government facilities.The officer did not disclose his identity in fear of losing his job.
Eastern Equatoria health minister Felix Makuja confirmed the revelation, saying the drugs discovered by the state Assembly inspections committee in private clinics was from the county PHCs.
Mr. Makuja said drugs are distributed from Juba direct to the counties and then to health units due to lack of central storage systems at the headquarters.
The minister said an investigation team was deployed to the counties to verify and locate the exact health centres where the drugs are stolen to be sold by private clinics in Torit.