Minister of Health Elijah Muchima has cautioned nurses who refuse to work in rural areas once assigned that they may face consequences, including potential retirement.
Speaking during 47 combined graduation ceremonies for nurses and midwifery in the Copperbelt Province, Dr Muchima said nurses should learn to work diligently, regardless of location, highlighting the need for healthcare services across Zambia, not just in urban centres like Lusaka.
He said efforts are being made to address staffing shortages, including expanding oncology training and allocating additional health workers.
He has warned government officials who are fond of recruiting health personnel based on connection rather than merits to stop adding that everyone should be given an equal opportunity.
Dr Muchima said the Ministry of Health should come up with a policy that will charge people found in unprofessional misconduct.
“Government has serious interests in the recruitment process, the country puts a premium on the health and education of the people adding that it is the government’s desire to see all the graduates deployed”, he mentioned.
Dr Muchima has also urged health practitioners to be diligent and professional and care for the patients in government hospitals.
He added that most of the people are now rushing to private hospitals because public hospitals take hours to attend to the people and lack quality care.
He said it is sad to note that most hospitals are writing prescriptions yet medicine is being kept in the pharmacy hospitals.
“We should stop this issue of writing prescriptions yet we have medicine everywhere drugs are expiring because they are not being used,” He stated
He congratulated the graduates on their achievement adding that the government is investing on a lot of health infrastructure that will need nurses and midwifery services.
Copperbelt Province Health Director Dr Charles Mwinuna said there is need for infrastructure development in health training institutions, including lecture halls, transport, and utility vehicles, to support students’ learning experiences.
Dr Mwinuna said enhancing these areas can improve service delivery and student outcomes, ultimately benefiting the healthcare system.
Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia Registrar Beauty Zimba has called on the graduates to continue practising professionalism, ethics, and excellence.
Ms Zimba has congratulated the graduates and has acknowledged the hard work of academic staff.
Caroline Mulenga, a graduate, has expressed gratitude to the tutors, parents, and fellow graduates, acknowledging the dedication, guidance, and support that made the studying journey possible.
She said her and her fellow graduates are now healthcare professionals, ready to care for patients and provide comfort.
Aren’t there no rural students that’s interested in being nurses or teachers they should come from the community that way they know the problems and the sensitivity of the people they serving. It’s also good motivation for future localnurses and teachers.