A social commentator Lucky Mbewe has described the procurement of brand new ambulances as ill-timed saying the funds should have been used to addressing shortage of medicines and drugs in hospitals.
This comes as government through the ministry of health ,purchased 20 brand new ambulances worth over K1.5 billion aimed at improving emergency responses in district hospitals.
However, public sector controlling officers have come under the spotlight for failing to service non-functional vehicles.
Reports have emerged that the ministry of health has more non-runner ambulances than those operational.
During the handover ceremony of 20 vehicles to the district councils, Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda expressed worry saying that there are more ambulances which are not running compared to those that are running due to poor maintenance.
According to Mbewe this amounts to negligence and has to be addressed.