Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Closure of Clinics by the HPCZ has created a burden on the people-Luanshya Mayor

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Nathan Chanda answering questions during the question and answer session at the PF interactive forum
Nathan Chanda answering questions during the question and answer session at the PF interactive forum

Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda says the closure of Section 5 and Baluba clinics by the Health Professionals Council of Zambia is a burden on the people.

Chanda has also clarified that Section 5 and Baluba clinics are not government health facilitates but belong to CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines PLC.

He said it is sad that the clinics a which are of great health to the people of Luanshya can be closed at a critical time.

“I have learnt of the closure of section 5 and Baluba clinics by the Health Practitioners Council of Zambia. The two health facilities belong to CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines plc(CLM) not government and provide health services for miners,” Chanda said.

He said as Mayor of Luanshya, he has since engaged CLM to ensure that they quickly comply with the required Standards by HPCZ.

“My office is already actively engaged with CLM to ensure that they quickly comply with the issues raised by the HPCZ so that the 2 institutions are reopened and continue to offer health services to the miners and their families and have assured me that they will work on all concerns raised.”

On Thursday, HPCZ closed down five health facilitates on the Copperbelt.

The facilities closed include Section 5 Mine Clinic and Baluba Shaft Mine Clinic both located in Luanshya. Others are Copperbelt University Clinic in Kitwe, Sinozam Friendship Hospital also in Kitwe and Hilltop Hospital located in Ndola.

“Health Professions Council of Zambia- HPCZ has cited and closed down five (5) health facilities in Luanshya, Kitwe and Ndola on the Copperbelt Province for various violations, contrary to the laws of Zambia. The facilities closed include Section 5 Mine Clinic and Baluba Shaft Mine Clinic both located in Luanshya. Others are Copperbelt University Clinic in Kitwe, Sinozam Friendship Hospital also in Kitwe and Hilltop Hospital located in Ndola,” HPCZ registrar Dr Aaron Mujajati stated.

13 COMMENTS

  1. HPCZ seems to concentrate on closing non-government owned institutions but can never close the killing fields of government hospitals.

  2. Yeah , good health is critical so we ll not accept below standards services , like expired drugs. Never. So let them just put their houses in order. Hands off to Mujajati and his hard working team. Please also look at health schools. We need proper labs, infrastructure, qualified and experienced personal not half baked nurses doctors and other health personal, they become a danger to society and the country

  3. Please HPCZ don’t be intimidated by politicians and continue doing your job but at the same time be fair also close government clinics which are not up to standard. Also give chance to health facilities to correct situations before closing as their services are vital don’t be too overzealous. And don’t be used by rival health providers to close down their rival facilities just so they can get all the business so be very objective and professional.

  4. I am quite skeptical that the private run clinics and the CBU one were found wanting. Did the inspection also include government clinics or it targeted the private ones only? Common knowledge will have one think that public clinics tend to be ill-equipped substandard, hence this is a very surprising state of affairs.

  5. HPCZ is no longer funded by GRZ so they have to raise their own cash. They started by increasing practice renewal fees by abnormal margins. They went further to start this uncivilized approach of pouncing on institutions they know are operating on for profit basis and closing them on flimsy grounds as ransom to raise money through penalties. This is the only explanation as to why only Private institutions are being targeted! Unfortunately HPCZ is going about this the wrong way. Yes we want high standards but we must apply the Law equally! Equality before the Law! If we applied the Law equally, all GRZ facilities would shut down! It’s all a fundraising venture which is not sustainable especially when Private Practitioners start fighting back!

  6. Well done HPCZ. I used to attend Hilltop hospital here in Ndola. I can tell you it’s a sad story. The place is dirty, no drugs and indeed it is hell zone to say the least.. We ended up closing our account with them and several individuals and companies suspended their membership too. Infact for Hilltop hospital, it’s long overdue. Well done HPCZ.

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