By Chinoyi Chipulu
Government has warned of disciplinary action against doctors that will be deserting hospitals to attend to personal matters.
And Lusaka district has recorded its first case of Mpox.
Mpox is a disease caused by monkey pox virus. The disease can cause a rush resembling pimples or blisters and is accompanied by flu like symptoms.
Speaking during a media briefing yesterday, minister of Health Elijah Muchima threatened to deal with doctors who were absconding work, leaving patients unattended.
“On behalf of the public, I’m not too happy, the way our doctors are conducting themselves. There are complaints by members of the public that they are not being treated well. Mostly, patients are remaining unattended to, patients are complaining and this is our duty. We shall ensure that we check on these hospitals,” he said.
Dr Muchima said doctors who did not want to work should resign and pave way for those who were willing to conduct their duties diligently.
“Those who don’t want to work, we ask them to resign. We have enough doctors, we have enough personnel, they are queuing up. We need people who can offer good health services. People are absconding from their work places to attend to their personal issues. Even me your minister, I will not take this thing lightly,” he said.
“I have received complaints from Matero, Chilenje and Chipata level one hospitals, hospitals are being deserted.”
And Dr Muchima said Lusaka district had recorded a new confirmed Mpox case, bringing the total cumulative confirmed cases in Zambia to six.
“On Monday, test results for a 34-year-old female came out positive. The patient has been transferred to the University Teaching Hospital Infectious Diseases Ward, where she is being managed and is in a stable condition,” he said.
He said health authorities were closely monitoring the close contacts of the case.
“The new case brings the cumulative confirmed cases of Mpox to six. Copperbelt Province recorded four confirmed cases, involving a family, the husband wife and child. As of January 12, 2024, the wife and husband have recovered but their child is still recovering. The fourth case is involving a 28-year-old lady of Mufulira, in Zimba compound, an area which is a few kilometers from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” he said.
Dr. Muchima said the patient was in isolation at Chibolya Clinic in Mufulira.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muchima has handed over 200 hand washing tanks to all provincial health facilities in the country.
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