Malawi Medical Council worries over boom of illegal doctors in rural areas

Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) has expressed worry over the boom of unlicensed people serving as medical practitioners in rural areas and have advised local leaders to help expose such persons.

MCM Inspections Officer Richard Ndhlovu said in an interview in Salima, Tuesday, on the sidelines of a sensitisation meeting for local leaders and Members of Parliament.

He said the practice of administering medical services without proper training and licensing is dangerous as patients risk receiving wrong prescription.

“We are on a nationwide campaign asking local leaders to assist in stamping out illegal medical service providers as they pose a danger to the nation.fake doc

“We are very much aware that many of these illegal doctors and pharmacists operate in the rural areas where we cannot reach, so the plan is to sensitise chiefs so that they are able to know the dangers of such people and how to identify them and report them to various organisations that can in turn report them to law enforcers,” said Nldovi.

Nldovi said from 2007 to 2011, MCM closed 150 illegal clinics, but many more still operate illegally especially in rural areas.

Among other things the meeting enlightened chiefs on the works and powers of MCM and the importance of receiving medical services from registered professionals.

In another interview, one of the participants Senior Chief Bibi Kuluunda said the training has been an eye opener to the chiefs and they will actively take part to stop illegal medical service providers from operating in their areas.

“It’s true we have many illegal people operating clinics in our areas, but we have never questioned them because we were not aware of the processes in opening a clinic or selling drugs. However, now that we know, the government should be assured that we will do everything possible to stop these illegal practices,” said senior Chief Kuluunda.

In the meeting MCM also said it will lobby Parliament to amend the 1987 Medical Practitioner and Dentist Act, so that it is in line with the current situation and that law breakers are given stiff punishment.

These sensitisation campaigns for chief started in the northern region and are expected to be taken to all the 28 districts.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
1 Comment
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Read previous post:
Three African airlines introduce new flight paths to Malawi

Tourism in Malawi is expected to gain an additional boost as more and more airlines chart new flight paths to...

Close