Lack of punitive laws fuelling illegal clinics- Medical Council of Malawi
Medical Council of Malawi (MCM)has complained that lack of punitive laws to deal with medical practitioners is fuelling the illegal presence of clinics in the country.
MCM said in a statement following Chikhwawa First Grade Magistrate Court ordered a 39 year old to pay a fine of K15, 000 or on default to serve an 8 months jail term for operating an illegal private clinic.
The arrest of a 39 year old Enock Bomani raised a lot of debate as many people questioned on procedures followed to open a private clinic and start treating people at Nkhate under Chief Makhuwira.
According to police, at the time of arrest, the patient was on drip while others were waiting to receive treatment.
Bomani pleaded guilty to the charge and told the court that he was the first offender and qualified medical personnel.
First Grade Magistrate for Chikhwawa district ordered Bomani to pay K15, 000 or in default to serve 8 months jail term.
But commenting on the matter, Medical Council of Malawi registrar, Abel Kaonga said that the accused was unrepentant as he has been arrested in several times in Phalombe and Thyolo over the same offence.
He then said that the accused was not a qualified medical practitioner saying he dropped out from his course at Malamulo College meaning that he is not fit to run a health facility.
Kaonga emphasized that there is need to have stiff laws against such culprits.
