Balaka hospital staff on strike
- Category: Local Briefs
- Written by Bright Mhango
Staff at Balaka District Hospital on Wednesday downed their tools in protest against the continued presence of four top officials they want relocated at all costs.
Hospital spokesman Clifton Ngozo confirmed the strike, but said the industrial action has not affected the operations of the institution as four people have been drafted from Machinga and Ntcheu to fill in.
The four officers whose heads are being sought after by the workers are district health officer Owen Chikwaza, district nursing officer Beata Zuza, district medical officer Frank Linzie and hospital administrator, a Mr Mchombo.
An insider who did not want to be identified said the striking staff, who range from professional nurses to patient attendants and cleaners, wrote the Ministry of Health on the matter in November but have not received feedback, a situation that has forced them into the strike.
The source said the workers accuse the top managers of mismanaging funds and abusing power by awarding themselves tenders to supply foodstuffs to the kitchen and other areas at the hospital.
The four are also being accused of deliberately blocking the use of the hospital’s generator in cases of blackouts.
When contacted on Saturday, Zuza refused to comment on the allegations and referred the matter to Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali who did not pick up his call when contacted.
Ngozo said administration tried to reason with the strikers, but they did not budge, forcing management to refer the matter to zone officials.
