Former health minister Bernard Haufiku speaks to Desert FM about his consultancy work with Chinese pharmaceutical firm Jiangsu Aidea Pharma

[PODCAST]

Former health minister Bernard Haufiku has defended his consultancy work with Chinese pharmaceutical firm Jiangsu Aidea Pharma, saying the partnership aimed to introduce affordable HIV medication in Africa and collaborate with Namibian universities.

Haufiku recently come under fire for facilitating a meeting between the Ministry of Health and the Chinese pharmaceutical company – while also being a vocal critic of inflated tenders and so-called “middlemen” in the health procurement space. Critics are asking: Is there a contradiction in Dr. Haufiku’s recent facilitation of foreign drug suppliers while calling out middlemen as a cancer in the system? Is he walking the talk – or playing both sides?

Desert FM spoke to Haufiku for his side of the story.