Minister Kumpalume issues stern warning to health workers on absenteism, late work reporting

Health minister Peter Kumpalume has fired warning shots to health workers who abscond and report for work late, saying enough is enough.

Kumpalume said he has received numerous reports on the issue and has instructed the ministry to act swiftly on the matter by disciplining the concerned staff.

He said this in parliament in Lilongwe after Mchinji north MP Racheal Mazombwe Banda said she lost a brother and another relation in Salima on January 1 in a car accident because the district hospital was virtually closed as staff were not there.

Her view was shared with Speaker Richard Msowoya who said the closure of hospitals is usually during public holidays in festive season.

But Kumpalume said that should not be the case.

“I have received numerous complaints on this matter. Recently I visited Kamuzu Central Hospital and Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe. At Bwaila, a nurse in charge at OPD came two hours late, she was supposed to report for duties at 4 in the afternoon for a night shift but she came at six,” he said.

He said the ministry would not tolerate this, saying this was against reforms the ministry has embarked on to improve delivery of health services to ordinary people.

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