Zambian Parliamentarian Charles Kakoma has called on the European Union (EU) member states to ensure their migration polices do not undermine the availability of health professionals in third-world countries.
Mr Kakoma who is the Co-Rapporteur for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States committee on Social Affairs, told the ACP- EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels yesterday that while it was important to respect individual freedom of movement, EU member states should critically relook at their migration policies.He said it was incredibly shocking that despite spending more resources on educating and training of health workers, ACP countries had continued to face critical shortages of health practitioners.
This is according to a press statement made available to the media by Lambwe Kachali, First Secretary (Press and Public Relations)in Brussels Belgium.
Mr Kakoma observed that after training, most health professionals in ACP countries migrate to Europe in search of greener pasture, a trend which should be discouraged.
The Zambian legislator said there was serious need to find a lasting solution in order to avert the human resource crisis in ACP countries.
He called on ACP member states to prioritise medical and health responsibilities in their respective national plans.
Mr Kakoma said: “To this end, the shortcomings of human resource in the health sector in ACP countries should be addressed by ACP countries without delay; I call on ACP countries to meet the 2001 Abuja target to commit 15% of national budgets to health.”
He however urged EU member states to continue supporting ACP countries financially and technically in order to develop national health plans.
The Zambian law maker recognised the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the provision of healthcare services.
“May I also recognise the important role of the civil society, local authorities, public health non-profit organisations and volunteers’ organisations in complementing public health system,” said Mr Kakoma.
That is a foolish call ba Kakoma.The world is now a global village, people are free to work wherever they want.Why do you want them to be confined to their third world countries where you end up being payed peanuts ? It is very annoying to spend many years in Medical school just start getting a salary that is lower than an accountant who just spent two years to get his qualification.Provide a good working environment for them then that case of going for greener pastures will be history.
I am not an accountant but i find your comparison immature to just say the least.Society needs different professions and trades in order to thrive.
The truth hurts.I’m with you on this Masala.You spend 7 long years of sleepless nights in medical school just to end up getting less that a chap who did a two year long Natech or Acca program.No immaturity, there but just calling a spade a spade.You are not alone.I’m training to be a clinician but working in Zambia is the last thing on my mind.We are not appreciated.
That is not a wise call ba Kakoma.The world is now a global village, people are free to work wherever they want.Why do you want them to be confined to their third world countries where you end up being payed peanuts ? It is very annoying to spend many years in Medical school just start getting a salary that is lower than an accountant who just spent two years to get his qualification.Provide a good working environment for them then that case of going for greener pastures will be history.
Read the article instead of just shooting off your mouth like air from your behind. He is also calling on the ACP countries to help in stemming off this brain drain by implementing the Abuja Target of committing 15% of national budgets to health. You Zambians are so dull that is why your so called democracy is a sham. You do not read or listen to what someone is saying or you do is look at the party label and off you go with your nonsense.
Masala Market you have missed the point. An Accountant is a highly professional person who is also highly sort after on the world market depending on the qualification he/she has. The EU does not pickup every Jim & Jack from any medical school like UTH or (worse still) Kitwe Central Hospital medical school. The few Zambian doctors in the EU are quality stuff worth the world market and Zambia must fight for them just like any other country & be proud of them at the same time. Charles Kakoma himself is paid more than a doctor as an MP with his six months journalism course certificate. Why does he want a doctor to suffer?
There is no point i have missed here you low life creatures.I just can`t understand why that call should be made before the playing filed is leveled.I know you hate my contributions because of my political ideologies.Attacking Masala won`t help you.I`m talking from experience.The few medical personnel that has remained in Zambia puts in a lot personal sacrifices.It is about time their efforts were recognized.15 % is the way to go.
Playing field i.e
!.1 Tebuho, read the article properly yourself before you embark on your tirade of insults for others. ACP and Abuja appeals cannot help Kakaoma’s article today. Party affiliation is not important. Charles Kakoma is a leader in our country whom we want to be accountable for his statement of unfairness as he continues to enjoy himself in parliament.
Every Zambian is struggling to make ends meet for their farmily and that includes medically qualified people. Why should Charles Kakoma single out medical personel for exclusion in EU recruitment? Moreover, how many Zambian doctors have been recruited to the EU in the last five (5) years if Kakoma has any figures he is moaning about? Most of the Zambian trained doctors, if not all, are still in Zambia. Kakoma shouldn’t raise unnecessary…
It is very Patriotic of Mr. Kakoma to make that Appeal. Yes people are free to work anywhere in this global world, but that should not stop Patriotic Zambians from make sacrifices to help their ailing nation. Otherwise the Illiterates like Sata and his friends end up being the leaders. What a pathetic country.
Lmao lol. Masala is a troll as I always insinuate. He rushes to type incoherent sentences and points wide off the mark. The kid thinks he knows bit he doesn’t. Next time don’t reply listen and learn most guys here are knowledgeable and you can learn one thing or two.
You are no smart, stop convincing yourself otherwise and stop commenting unless you read the bottomline. You are someone who makes mushota look intelligent.
Haha nake mushota look intelligent
Ha ha ha.I love it when you talk about intelligence.If anything it is one of my natural gifts.I`m that buddy who was always hated in school because my name was familiar with the prize giving ceremony.That dude who left the country to study abroad when everyone was thinking UNZA is the ultimate goal.Just keep quite if you have nothing to say otherwise ndimwe bafana when it comes to personal and academic achievements.I always speak my mind thats one element about me and i don`t expect you to always agree with me.If you don`t agree then just be civil enough not to insult me.Hope i`m not asking for too much.Bless you all.
Ba Masala,
Leave the accountant alone. My humble advice to you is that it’s a free world so choose your professions wisely. No point having letters after your name and complain why a footballer gets paid more than you, get your ass up and go play football man, its that simple
@Blackman Chifita don`t worry i`m not hating on them.I just used them as an example in the Zambian context.In the part of the world where i`m now that sort of thing doesn`t happen which explains why some of us are here in the first place.So am simply talking about the importance of having a leveled playing field.No hard feelings man ,otherwise every profession is important. because they all have a role to play in the country`s development and well being.
Masala you missed the point
own up you made a mistake, you are now looking desperate. We all make mistakes
The more you defend yourself you look desperate and dull
Let it go
Masala Market, salary is not the only frustration. doctors are usually subjected to these “civil service politics” where career advanced is blocked (uku nyantilila) and yet in Europe is more or less automatic. that is why most are migrating.
@Mbo Sam, Kakoma was right to say what he said because this was one of the issues that was on the agenda. This was a development summit meeting between the European Union and the developing nations from Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). At their earlier meeting in 2001 in Abuja the ACP committed themselves to raising the Health sector’s share of the national budget by 15% in part to help in staff retention. This is the context of Kakoma’s contribution therefore there’s no need to rail against him.
Ha ha ha.You guys are funny.There is nothing to admit here.Anyway i like it.Thats the whole point of having a debate.There are always two sides.I like your input.Lets keep it this way.
@Mwamba…if you only knew.Lets keep it civil.Otherwise i debate issues every second week as part of my job.You can`t lose anything by using good language.Remember everyone has an opinion and it shouldnt be similar to the next person.Oops am out of here.I have to rush to the wine store before they close.Looking forward to another debate with my wife home.Have a lovely weekend yal !!!
You cant stop that when people are trained and serve their country for the agreed period they ought to go where they want to be ofcourse where they are paid adquatly mostly they leave because they want to be where they are well paid but also they also pay back to to their home countries through their to whom they send money almost all the time it has been reported that in 2007 zambiambians abroad sent 31million pounds to zambia while copper taxes only yielded only 10million pounds now think with me
pure politics even when he is not supposed to be politiking, here is what is missing mr Kakoma, was this a well thought thru observation or the andiwone andiwone..? first we need to find solutions back at home before we cry out to EU, in fact we do not need to cry at all once we put measures in place, they will start coming back on their own,
you see guys the people we put in parley are useless chaps who only think of their tammies..? you are opposition mp who opposes just for sake so much that you thought you were still in zed and decided to oppose…come back to zed and lets work as a team, as a nation then those doctors will come back…kwasila
how daft this the Mr Kakoma, ur country has high rate of unemployment and u complain when some country employ ur nationals, jst top building mongu staduim and constract a modern training hospital puzzle solved.
If nurses could swap wages with yours ,they’ll definately stay in Zambia.That is what you need to change Kakoma.
I am a registered nurse here making $6000/month. Do you really expect me to go back to Zed to make $80/month, if that much? Atase….
$6000 from how many jobs? Most nurses abroad work like slaves.
$6000 as a namazai
Which country are YOU?, that amount is just a wish not in EU no nurse get 6000$/month even when you do nightshifts, tax will get half of it in the EU. Let us be real,that is the problem with Zambian aboard always faking things,people home think we are swimming in money meanwhile we are fighting with life. The other lie Zambian nurses get to the UK and can start working once it was no more,they are send to school a lot DON’T work in hospital afterwards but in old people’s home because of bad attitude at work they can’t have them in hospitals.
This man should start by urging Zambian govt to improve the conditions of nurses and doctors in Zambia. He is jumping the gun by looking at the result and ignoring the cause.
-Our politicians are always going abroad for treatment. Why should medical professionals also not consider working there if their leaders are doing just that! He should not waste peoples time trying to stop people getting employed. The problem of doctors leaving can be solved if govt has the will to do so.
-Furthermore, Zambian doctors and nurses that have foreign experience can be attracted back to work home. Just like they did for Chirwa at ZR.
If you ask me, we are being led by a bunch of m0rons that have no idea how to rum things. At the moment the major culprit is the occupant of plot one Independence…
How many times am I going to tell you “Zambian Journalists and Politicians” that you must refrain from using the word “Urge or Urges” aaii…It irritates me okay.
One <3
Charles Kakoma should start with cutting his hefty MP’s salary to begin with before attacking EU for recruiting 3rd World medical personel. He should invest the cut salary into fighting rat infestation in our hospitals.
A Zambian doctor from an EU hospital will be very frustrated to see his patients sharing beds with rats.
Just for info. What is the average salary scale of medical Doctors in Zambia? and the MPs? anyone with info please come on board.
@OBSERVER AND OTHERS LIKE U ACTUALLY THE OPPOSED IS WHAT U ARE. WHY CAN’T U GO THERE SO THAT WE SEE WHAT U OFFER. ALAS U ARE JUST ANOTHER ARM CHAIR CRITIC . WHEN U, *****S ARE OPPOSING ANYTHING WAT DO U EXPECT? PF WIL DELIVER AND SHAME U FOOLS.
You see what type of leaders Zambia have to take over from PF. Suppose this kakoma guy was in govt today, what else is he going to ban? ZP
Ok, this doesn’t make sense. Kakoma start taking care of your professionals and they will stay home. Don’t blame EU.
Bwafya! We all need a decent lifestyle.
Kakoma and UPND policies, Ndeloleshafye.
Masala Market, you are the man. Logically speaking your mind not floating your emotions and I just wonder why others are hurting. Damn these pseudo intellectuals better start understanding what opinion is.., and this is my opinion..!!
hats off to masala market
Zambian medical professionals are by far the best trained the show up these British trained NHS nurses; its just a shame they are not appreciated by their gov’t who are more interested in rewarding already rich football players $90K for a months work of football and building unnecessary football stadia in Mongu and Kasama.
This man should also do his home work properly the EU has drastically reduced or stopped issuing work permits to non EU nationals due to the recession.
mmm li Kakoma elo lilelanda ninshi ba health professional baliyakale! Just leave them alone. If they want to go let them go! Simple
People like Zemutu??????i really wonder???? Whats wrong with being a ‘namazai’ in your reference to a nurse making 6 gees.This is the mentality that needs to change in Zambia if we ever think of developing in the future.Wearing suits, drinking tea, making corrupt deals, wasting company time calling girlfriends, attending workshops that don’t make sense. the list goes on
You can only keep them if you can pay and maintain them well. Why should they stay if you can guarantee them better working conditions and wages?
MPs are paid more than doctors are they more educated than doctors? Kakoma should make sacrifices first before asking others to do so. Doctors go! Wherever your services are needed and can be appreciated financially go!!