Maputo, Sept. 14, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique received medicines and medical and surgical supplies equipped with a tracking system designed to strengthen control over distribution and prevent theft on Monday, in an initiative supported by the World Bank as part of efforts to improve public supply.
Mozambique's minister of health, Ussene Isse, explained that the products will now be identified by a seal and tracked throughout the supply chain, making it possible to trace where they have been, where they have been sent and where they are currently located, thereby strengthening control over their use in healthcare facilities.
«One of the biggest reforms» of Mozambique's health system, said Ussene Isse during the handover ceremony in Maputo, referring to the national traceability system announced by Mozambican president Daniel Chapo in 2025.
The system allows the movement of products to be tracked using the codes assigned to boxes and pallets, including entries into and exits from warehouses and the destination of consignments. Thus, by entering the code for a specific product, those responsible can check its history and recorded location, from the moment it entered the system right through to the facility to which it was dispatched.
Ussene Isse called on managers of healthcare facilities, heads of nursing and clinical staff to step up monitoring of incoming products, arguing that controls must continue after delivery and track the use of medicines and supplies within healthcare facilities.
«We must be very vigilant in our monitoring, supervision, oversight and inspection,» said the minister, adding that «every medicine must be accounted for, every glove used must be accounted for», in guidance addressed to those responsible for resource management in healthcare facilities.
The measure comes against a backdrop of government concern over theft, misappropriation, wastage and other irregularities in the medicines supply chain. On 9 September, Ussene Isse revealed that at least 54 healthcare professionals were dismissed last year for malpractice and promised a «crackdown» and «zero tolerance» against situations such as illegal charges, poor care and the theft of medicines.
Back in May, the minister had already called for a «head-on fight» against theft, waste and corruption in the pharmaceutical supply chain, arguing that these practices undermine the distribution of medicines within the public health system.
In July 2025, Daniel Chapo announced the start of the official roll-out of the national traceability system for medicines and healthcare products, through a mechanism designed to track products from manufacture to the patient.
At today's ceremony, the World Bank's Director for Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Cameroon and the Seychelles, Fily Sissoko, emphasised that the availability of medicines must be accompanied by mechanisms to verify that the products actually reach their intended recipients.
«Availability without accountability is not enough,» said Sissoko, arguing that the tracking system should help to identify stock shortages at an earlier stage, reduce wastage, improve distribution and hold the various stakeholders in the supply chain to account.
The World Bank's support includes the procurement of medicines and medical and surgical supplies, representing an investment of $35 million (€30.3 million) by international partners, whilst the Government anticipates the arrival of new consignments and their gradual distribution to health centres and community clinics, in an effort to boost the availability of products and improve the population's access to healthcare.
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