Don’t harass health workers - Mukosha
By ALEX NJOVU
THE Health Workers Union of Zambia (HWUZ) has called on members of the public to understand limitations which health workers face in the delivery of quality healthcare services.
THE Health Workers Union of Zambia (HWUZ) has called on members of the public to understand limitations which health workers face in the delivery of quality healthcare services.
HWUZ general secretary Lewis Mukosha said the continued harassment
and beating of health workers is worrying and called on the police and
other Government security wings to be firm on individuals committing
such ‘crimes’.
“We have just received a report from Central Province where a health worker was attacked and beaten by some people who took a patient to the clinic. This is criminal and the law must be firm on such people. In as much as we don’t condone indiscipline among our members, we equally get worried when our members are harassed or beaten by patients or their relatives,” he said.
Mr Mukosha said there is need for members of the public to have trust and respect for health workers.
He said a health worker based at one of the rural health centres in Kapiri Mposhi was beaten by a group of people who had taken their patient to the clinic for treatment.
“Our member was manhandled by a group of relatives of a patient after they accused him of neglecting his duties. This is sad and we cannot continue talking about the same things, something must be done to stop the harassment and beating of health workers in Zambia,” he said.
Mr Mukosha said his union and other stakeholders have continued speaking against the harassment of health workers but wondered why some people are beyond counsel.
“The public must understand that we face a lot of problems in the delivery of healthcare services to Zambians, we have few health workers and the only solution we have is for Government to employ more health workers. Beating our members will not solve anything, the general public must advise Government to employ more people in our sector,” he said.
Mr Mukosha said there are some health posts in Zambia which are managed by one person who is expected to attend to a lot of people.
He said Government has a role to play in addressing various problems facing health workers.
Mr Mukosha also re-assured his members that Government is committed to improving their welfare and that the salary negotiations will start soon.
“I would like to thank health workers in Zambia for their patience during the year 2012 and I would like to inform them that salary negotiations are almost underway and I can further assure them that they should expect good things from Government,” Mr Mukosha said.
He said Government has demonstrated goodwill in uplifting the living standards of health workers.
Mr Mukosha urged his members to continue supporting activities which are aimed at fostering development in the country.
“We have just received a report from Central Province where a health worker was attacked and beaten by some people who took a patient to the clinic. This is criminal and the law must be firm on such people. In as much as we don’t condone indiscipline among our members, we equally get worried when our members are harassed or beaten by patients or their relatives,” he said.
Mr Mukosha said there is need for members of the public to have trust and respect for health workers.
He said a health worker based at one of the rural health centres in Kapiri Mposhi was beaten by a group of people who had taken their patient to the clinic for treatment.
“Our member was manhandled by a group of relatives of a patient after they accused him of neglecting his duties. This is sad and we cannot continue talking about the same things, something must be done to stop the harassment and beating of health workers in Zambia,” he said.
Mr Mukosha said his union and other stakeholders have continued speaking against the harassment of health workers but wondered why some people are beyond counsel.
“The public must understand that we face a lot of problems in the delivery of healthcare services to Zambians, we have few health workers and the only solution we have is for Government to employ more health workers. Beating our members will not solve anything, the general public must advise Government to employ more people in our sector,” he said.
Mr Mukosha said there are some health posts in Zambia which are managed by one person who is expected to attend to a lot of people.
He said Government has a role to play in addressing various problems facing health workers.
Mr Mukosha also re-assured his members that Government is committed to improving their welfare and that the salary negotiations will start soon.
“I would like to thank health workers in Zambia for their patience during the year 2012 and I would like to inform them that salary negotiations are almost underway and I can further assure them that they should expect good things from Government,” Mr Mukosha said.
He said Government has demonstrated goodwill in uplifting the living standards of health workers.
Mr Mukosha urged his members to continue supporting activities which are aimed at fostering development in the country.
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