SHORTAGE OF HEALTH STAFF HAS DETERRED HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY - SIMBAO

Hon. Kapembwa  Simbao

Health Minister Kapembwa  Simbao says government acknowledges the health staff shortages in most  health  facilities  across the country which he  said  has negatively impacted  on the health  care delivery.

Mr. Simbao  said it  is important  that large  numbers  of health  workers  are trained and graduated  in order to meet  the increased  demand  of health care   workers.

The Minister  said this  in Lusaka today  in a speech read on his behalf by  health Permanent secretary  Dr Peter Mwaba at the 27^th  graduation  ceremony of Chainama college of health sciences  where  531 students  graduated  in various sciences  courses.

Mr. Simbao said government recognizes the critical role that the college plays in producing health workers for the country.

He said the  college  has a long  history of  producing  frontline  and middle  level  health workers  in the country.

He disclosed that his ministry  has plans  to improve  infrastructure  at the  institution  in order  to scale up  intakes  so as  to produce  more  health workers to meet  the current  demand.

And Mr. Simbao has urged the grandaunts to uphold high professional ethics if they were to serve the communities better.  

He  prodded  them  to be good  ambassadors  of the Ministry of Health  and perform  to the best  of their  abilities .

He cautioned them against engaging in bad vices saying his ministry will not accept any bad behavior such as not reporting for work on time, rudeness, drunkenness and absenteeism. This should also be a remainder to already existing staffs in the service.

And speaking at the same function UNZA vice chancellor Simukanga bemoaned the little progress that has been made on infrastructure development at the college   due to limited funds.

Prof. Simukanga  said with  the current  policy  of scaling up  the intakes  and  the  introduction  of  parallel  programmes alongside  new programmes , there  is  increased  pressure and demand  for infrastructure .

He said  there is  an urgent need  for government  through the ministry of health to address  the issue  as a matter  of priority  by providing  more  funds  for infrastructure  development projects .

Prof   Simukanga further  urged the  ministry  to  provide  funds for the rehabilitation of  classrooms  and other  college infrastructure  as the  buildings require  a facelift.

ZANIS