Malawians shunning government hospitals, Medical Rights body established

According to Dr. Shaba, she recently visited Banja La Mtsogolo, Mzuzu Clinic, where some patients told her that they preferred to get treatment in private clinics because they were accorded due respect while being treated.

Medical practitioners in government hospital are said to use bad language mostly to people infected with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and those who are HIV positive.

"The development is forcing those with a problem to opt for private clinics or stay without seeking any medical attention," said Shaba.

Meanwhile, Medical Rights Watch, a group of individuals with an interest in promoting and protecting the rights of patients and healthcare practitioners, has been established in the country and will be officially launched this Friday.

Making the announcement, group chairperson Titus Divala said through its dedication toward the promotion, protection and preservation of the rights of patients and health care

practitioners, MRW envisions an improved relationship between practitioners and patients as well as the environment in which that relationship takes place.

"The support and guidance of the College of Medicine-based Centre for Bioethics in Southern and Eastern Africa (CEBESA) has taken MRW from a six member students' committee in 2006 to a full Students' Organisation with a Constitution and Terms of Reference," Divala said.

The former University of Malawi Students Union president told Nyasa Times that the MRW will soon be a fully fledged national NGO as a watchdog of Medical Rights nation-wide.

"This ultimate dream will only be a success if MRW gets the full support of all individuals, organisations and government departments dealing with issues of Human Rights as well as those dealing with health service delivery," said the chairperson.

He disclosed that MRW would have its official launching on Friday, April 11, 2008, in the John Chimphangwi Lecture Theatre from 19hours where the Principal Secretary for Health will make a key note address.

Divala also said, in attendance will be delegates from the Nurses and Midwifes Council, Medical Council, Human Rights Commission, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the National AIDS Commission, the Health Service Commission, Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board.

Others will come from the Law commission, Health Equity Network, Medical Association of Malawi, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, District Health Officers, CHAM and Private Hospital representatives, and prominent Medical Practitioners.

MRW aims to improve the relationship between health care practitioners and patients as well as the environment in which that relationship takes place, through a focus on health rights.