By Tileni Mongudhi, Mathias Haufiku | 10 June 2019

This is after he spearheaded a secret meeting some see as aimed to plot the release of the consignment amid a probe by the medicine control body and customs.

The alleged secret meeting was held on 2 June 2019, a night before officials of the ministries of health, finance, and the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) met to decide whether to keep or destroy the container. Not only is the paperwork for the import of the drugs under question, but a limited laboratory test has shown that the medicine may be substandard.

Among the people Nangombe invited to the meeting last Sunday was Central Medical Stores senior procurement pharmacist, Fabiola Vahekeni, who is under investigation for allegedly helping to award the tender to her friends and former business partners.

Nangombe, who confirmed the meeting took place at his office, has dismissed suggestions that there was anything untoward. He said they met merely for briefing purposes to help him prepare for the following days inter-ministerial encounter.Nangombe defended the ministrys stance that he is acting in the public interest.

“I dont want people to die because of a technicality; that would be outrightly irresponsible. I will not allow Namibians to die without putting up a fight,” he said.

Top health ministry officials are determined to distribute the co-trimoxazole tablets to Namibian health centres. The drug is commonly used to treat bacterial infections, mostly in people living with HIV. The container was blocked at Walvis Bay harbour in September last year, initially because it lacked the required paperwork.

The minitry said public hospitals desperately need the antibiotics for more than 200 000 patients who depend on them. Although the ministry normally imports from various suppliers, this consignment is from China.

The stand-off involves ministry of health officials against the NMRC and the finance ministry, which are understood to want the consignment destroyed.

Apart from the paperwork, the medicines control body is allegedly concerned about the quality of the drugs, after local tests failed three out of nine samples.

The container was impounded due to lack of adequate customs paperwork, but further irregularities were flagged in the N$7 million tender for the supply of the drugs.

Vahekeni, a government medical stores procurement officer was central to the tender awarded to NM Medicals CC, the company which imported co-trimoxazole, as it is owned by Vahekenis former business partners and close friends Taimi Amakutuwa and Meameno Nghikembua.

The procurement policy unit in the ministry of finance has written to the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Vahekeni, who was part of the team briefing Nangombe to advocate the release of the medicine.

The Namibian understands that NMRC chairperson Dr Vaja Zatjirua is adamant the drugs be destroyed, going as far as arguing that even if the drugs passed laboratory tests, they had entered the country without the correct paperwork.

Finance executive director Ericah Shafudah is said to have backed him in insisting that the medicine be destroyed. Both Shafudah and Zatjirua could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Nangombe said he was not willing to comment on what transpired at the Sunday meeting, except that the ministrys stance was in the public interest. He added that he will deal with any breaches of the law later arising from “tehcnicalities” related to the import.

Nangombe insisted that because the drugs are not registered and do not comply with Namibian laws, does not mean they are of poor quality, or dangerous.

“We will send samples to South Africa for a second opinion,” he stated.

Last year, South African laboratories refused to conduct tests because the manufacturer of the drugs, Reyoung Pharmaceuticals, could not supply their in-house formula for testing impurities in its products, as required by international practice.

The Namibian has also learned that the joint investigation involving the NMRC and customs officials found that NM Medicals has allegedly imported the same drugs in the past, and supplied it to the health ministry without the correct paperwork.

Documents seen by The Namibian indicate that the company imported 150 boxes of co-trimoxazole tablets into Namibia from China. The consignment, destined for the Central Medical Stores, arrived in Namibia on 31 July 2018 via Hosea Kutako International Airport.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

1114 COMMENTS

  211. Beneficial Blog! I had been simply just debating that there are plenty of screwy results at this issue you now purely replaced my personal belief. Thank you an excellent write-up.

  310. Very nice post and right to the point. I don’t know if this
    is in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any
    ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thank you 🙂 Escape roomy lista

  336. Hey very cool site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful information here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  345. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  355. I just couldn’t leave your website before suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual information an individual supply on your visitors? Is gonna be back often in order to investigate cross-check new posts

  361. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now 😉

  366. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  445. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!

  457. Everything is very open with a really clear clarification of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing.

  458. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you need to write more on this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t talk about these subjects. To the next! Kind regards.

  460. I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your content. Your article has really peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  490. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it.

  500. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody having identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!

  600. Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  629. After checking out a number of the blog posts on your site, I really like your way of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as well and let me know your opinion.

  646. Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  676. After exploring a number of the articles on your web page, I seriously like your way of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and let me know what you think.

  692. Hey! awesome blog! I happen to be a daily visitor to your site (somewhat more like addict 😛 ) of this website. Just wanted to say I appreciate your blogs and am looking forward for more!

  699. I really love your website.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own blog and want to find out where you got this from or what the theme is named. Many thanks.

  711. Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a really good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.

  722. Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  734. I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this during my search for something regarding this.

  736. I discovered your weblog site on google and verify just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the very good operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader.

  754. Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover somebody that truly knows what they are discussing on the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people really need to check this out and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you surely possess the gift.

  764. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks.

  777. Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.

  788. Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it.

  825. Have you given any kind of thought at all with converting your current web-site into French? I know a couple of of translaters here that will would certainly help you do it for no cost if you want to get in touch with me personally.

  847. A good web site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters? I Can’t find it.

  853. Can I simply just say what a comfort to discover a person that really understands what they are discussing online. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people should read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you are not more popular since you certainly possess the gift.

  858. Hi my family member! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include approximately all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this .

  864. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody having identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!

  876. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is just great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.

  890. You are so awesome! I do not believe I’ve read anything like that before. So good to discover someone with some genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality.

  924. After I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Thank you.

  933. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is great, as well as the content!

  956. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not disappoint me just as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I really thought you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you could fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.

  966. Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.

  982. Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information. You have done a wonderful job!

  985. I truly love your website.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own site and would like to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Many thanks!

  1002. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту радиоуправляемых устройства – квадрокоптеры, дроны, беспилостники в том числе Apple iPad.
    Мы предлагаем: ремонт квадрокоптера
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  1023. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту бытовой техники с выездом на дом.
    Мы предлагаем:сервисные центры в санкт петербурге
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  1028. Woah this is just an insane amount of information, must of taken ages to compile so thanx so much for just sharing it with all of us. If your ever in any need of related information, just check out my own site!

  1034. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту источников бесперебойного питания.
    Мы предлагаем: ремонт источников бесперебойного питания в москве
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  1063. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту бытовой техники с выездом на дом.
    Мы предлагаем:сервис центры бытовой техники екатеринбург
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  1090. mail order pharmacy india [url=http://indianpharmacy.company/#]Online medicine order[/url] online shopping pharmacy india

  1093. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту фото техники от зеркальных до цифровых фотоаппаратов.
    Мы предлагаем: ремонт цифровых фотоаппаратов в москве
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  1101. I Am Going To have to come back again when my course load lets up – however I am taking your Rss feed so i can go through your site offline. Thanks.

  1113. Just desire to say your article is as surprising.
    The clearness on your publish is simply spectacular and that i
    can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject. Fine along with your permission let me to clutch your
    RSS feed to stay updated with approaching post. Thank
    you one million and please carry on the gratifying work.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here