Audio By Carbonatix
A Zambian MP has compared a nationwide distribution of condoms and sterile gloves despite the products failing safety tests as "genocide".
“What the ministry of health is doing is genocide,” lawmaker Mwansa Mbulakulima told the BBC.
“When you put water in those gloves and condoms, they’re leaking. How many people have died from September as a result of this negligence."
The MP said he was concerned about the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and coronavirus.
Mr Mbulakulima and his colleagues in a parliamentary committee heard on Wednesday how Honey Bee, a local company, secured a $17m (£12m) contract to supply the condoms and gloves which were found to be faulty.
"The gloves are supposed to be used by frontline workers in the fight against Covid and they have been distributed countrywide despite them being faulty," said Mr Mbulakulima.
The company's director Imran Lunat accused the auditor general’s office of being biased in its reports which found that the firm didn't have a physical address, state-owned Daily Mail reports.
The audit also found that the contract was awarded on a Sunday, which is not an official working day.
Kakulubelwa Mulalelo, the permanent secretary in charge of administration in the health ministry, told the committee she had no idea who authorised the contract, but only attended the launch of the distribution of the products.
Ms Mulalelo said her ministry “regrets” the incident while officials from the Zambia Medicines and Regulatory Authority admitted lapses in awarding of the contract.
Zambians on Twitter have expressed their anger and incredulity at the revelations:
So people went to their homes and slept peacefully knowing fully well that they unleashed defective condoms on their own people?😡 How? Why? For what?
— Dr. Mujajati Aaron (@Mujajati_a) January 6, 2021
If only Zambia had a President, both Ministry of Health PSes and the Minister would be out of jobs, tonight. But Zambia is an orphan. No one to care when people abuse her mercilessly🥲
— Laura Miti (@LauraMiti) January 6, 2021
Latest Stories
-
Mahama avoiding expensive jet rentals by using brother’s aircraft – Gov’t
3 hours -
All service contracts at Accra International Airport to be held to high delivery standards -Transport Minister warns
4 hours -
Frequent breakdown of presidential jet forced interim use of brother’s aircraft – Felix Ofosu Kwakye
4 hours -
Mother calls for thorough probe into daughter’s death at Adawso
4 hours -
World Bank Group MD to visit Ghana and Liberia
4 hours -
Automated Road Traffic Law set for passage by end of March
4 hours -
Ghana to use automated technology to catch traffic offenders in real-time
4 hours -
Two robbery suspects killed as police dismantle gang on Obuasi–Dunkwa highway
4 hours -
Mahama’s use of brother’s jet not permanent, it’s due to lack of reliable state aircraft – Felix Ofosu Kwakye
5 hours -
GACL terminates Fixed Base Operation agreement with McDan Aviation over persistent debt
5 hours -
‘What exactly is the problem if Mahama uses his brother’s jet?’ – Kwakye Ofosu asks critics
5 hours -
I’ll be surprised if Ghanaians think Mahama using his brother’s jet comes at no cost to the state – Asafo-Adjei
6 hours -
PassionAir announces Kumasi route disruptions, apologises to passengers
6 hours -
Police dismantle armed robbery gang on Obuasi–Dunkwa highway
6 hours -
Ghana could face security risks amid international intelligence cooperation – Bosome Freho MP warns
6 hours