Mozambique's Central Hospital Reports 79% Drop in Theft and Boosts Anti‑Corruption Measures

The Central Hospital of Maputo (HCM) announced a 79.4% reduction in theft of hospital goods and consumables over the past three months, cutting the financial loss from 1,793,878.20 Meticais in the first quarter to 365,320 Meticais. The decline was highlighted by Chief of Internal Control, Ângelo Punguane, during an extended council meeting.

Despite the progress, the hospital disclosed ongoing illegal charges to patients, especially in the Surgery department where fees can reach 80,000 Meticais per patient. The director‑general, Farida Urci, pledged to intensify internal oversight, improve transparency, and strengthen communication with patients to ensure clear explanations of diagnoses and treatments.

The administration also addressed alleged revenue diversions by staff using personal bank accounts, emphasizing the need for stricter financial controls to safeguard public resources.