Four health officials at Mondengwa Mini Hospital in Chilanga District have been recommended for suspension following allegations of gross negligence after a spot check reportedly found staff absent during working hours.
The officials facing disciplinary action include the District Health Director, the facility in-charge and two nurses. Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Joel Kalusa said the recommendations followed public complaints, a visit to the health facility by area councillor Rudia Mpundu and an assessment conducted by the Ministry of Health.
According to Kalusa, the spot check revealed that staff members were absent during working hours, leaving a volunteer nurse to attend to two patients, one of whom was suspected to have cholera. The situation raised concerns about staff management at the facility and the possibility of patients requiring emergency care failing to receive timely medical attention.
Kalusa said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance approach to negligence in health facilities, adding that the suspension recommendations were made by the Ministry of Health following its assessment of the situation.
Meanwhile, the ministry’s assessment established that the facility’s treasury financial receipts were up to date through the Lusaka Provincial Health Office. The assessment also found that medicine availability at the facility stood at more than 95 per cent.
Mondengwa Mini Hospital has 12 government-paid staff members, comprising seven nurses, one clinical officer, three cleaners and one psychosocial counsellor. The facility is also supported by two polyvalent health workers and three volunteers.
