Mosquito net distributors charging delivery ‘fee’

By PETER MALASHA A GROUP of Neighbourhood Health Committee members in Mkushi’s Upper Lunsemfwa ward are reported to be charging K1 per free distributed mosquito net as transport fee.

Upper Lunsemfwa Ward Development Committee (WDC) chairperson Golden Musonko revealed this to the Daily Nation in an interview.

Mr. Musonko charged that it was a criminal act for the committee members to be charging transport fee on free distributed mosquitoe nets meant for malaria control.

“It is very wrong for the named NHC members to take advantage of the situation and make money out of the poor with their criminal act without consulting the relevant authority. Government is spending huge amounts of money on malaria prevention and control but some people are busy making money out of the programme,” Mr.Musonko said.

Mr.Musonko also urged the relevant government department to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators of the vice to book.

And Upper Lunsemfwa Ward Councillor Thomas Mukoso expressed ignorance about the matter. But he conceded that he was aware of some NHCs members charging community members a K2 fee for collection of medicine from the district hospital.

Mr. Mukoso said he was still investigating the matter and will ensure that those involved in the scam will be held accountable for their deeds