MASVINGO Provincial Hospital medical superintendent Dr Julius Chirengwa and the entire management committee have been suspended pending investigations into a scandal that has resulted in critical drugs being diverted to private pharmacies for resale in foreign currency.

Most of the drugs were donated to the hospital, while others were sourced from the National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm).

Also noted at the institution was the abuse of the procurement process for personal gain, among other corruption-related allegations.
This comes amid an acute shortage of medicines and critical equipment at State institutions, which pushes desperate patients to private pharmacies.

Dr Chirengwa was suspended together with a general surgeon, Dr Noel Zulu.Other suspended members of the hospital management committee include Ms Helga Mpande, a former matron at Masvingo Hospital, acting Tutor-in-Charge at the School of Nursing Ms Rosemary Machuwaire, hospital pharmacist Mr Zivanai Zibhenge and pharmacy technicians Messrs William Mamombe and Munyaradzi Thomu.

A general hand in the pharmacy department, Mr Shepherd Hwaire, and another attached to the Equipment Stores and Workshop Department were not spared.

Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Agnes Mahomva confirmed the suspensions, but could not shed more light.

“Yes, I can confirm that some officers in Masvingo have been suspended pending investigations,” said Dr Mahomva.State media