HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. With your indulgence, Hon. Speaker, may I preface my question with the following information? There is a cartel of medical drug importers in this country that are getting money, hard currency, from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to import drugs. I will give you an example of a drug that they are importing form India at 68c but those same companies, when they come here and they claim their foreign currency from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, they are claiming about US$12 for the same drug that they would have imported for 68c.
I just wanted to find out from the Hon. Minister if there are any measures that Government is taking to ensure that the importation of medical drugs is vested into the National Pharmaceutical Company rather than for it to remain in the private sector which is ripping the country of foreign currency? Thank you Hon. Speaker.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. DR. O. MOYO): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The Hon. Member has come up with a very good statement and question. This is something which we are actually looking at. Investigations were also being carried out. We have looked at the supply chain, we have looked at the manufacturers, and have looked at the wholesalers and retailers. The example that he gave is something which we are investigating at the moment and we will be coming out with a conclusion in the very shortest possible time.
I totally agree that at the moment when foreign currency is very scarce, there has got to be visibility and transparency on how it is utilised and we are saying we want to empower our own NatPharm so that we can be able to create a NatPharm which is the supplier of choice for both public and private. So, we totally agree, but the other issues regarding the costs, those are issues which are under investigations.
HON. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise on a point of order of constitutionalism in that we seem to be allowing a situation where there is no compliance to the Constitution. The health issue on Section 29 of the Constitution, it is very clear in terms of what the Ministers in Government must do. The State must take all practical measures to ensure that provision of basic, accessible and adequate health services throughout Zimbabwe are in place. It is a must and I see that we are running into a situation where we are not following the Constitution.
The Constitution again, if you go to Section 2, talks about the supremacy of the Constitution and it is important that for whatever we do, constitutionalism is there and failure for us to respect this Constitution – I am afraid to say this is a sacred sacrosanct document which guides this country and I think we are in violation of it. As such, Mr. Speaker, I want you to make a ruling on whether these Ministers are complying with the Constitution that we have.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, we are dealing with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. When you say your Ministers you are being out of order. What I can only say is, Hon. Minister of Health and Child Care, if you can take note of the provisions of the Constitution, Section 29 and please comply accordingly. Thank you.
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