Chakwera to overhaul health system
President Lazarus Chakwera has committed his government to overhauling the country’s health system—in a phased-approach—over the next four years, to accord doctors and health workers the best working environment.
Chakwera made the commitment in Mangochi on Friday when he opened the Society of Medical Doctors (SMD) 9th Annual General Meeting at Sunbird Nkopola.
The President acknowledged the dedication and hard work doctors and health workers in the country portray “despite challenges they face due to lack of resources and a better working environment”.
“Over the next four years, my administration will be addressing these challenges in a phased-approach so that there’s significant progress in our quest for equity in your conditions of service relative to other professions,” he said.
Chakwera added: “I call upon you all attending this AGM to use it to reflect on the present challenges and generate innovative ways of resolving them so that this may add value to the work this administration is doing to make Malawi’s health sector vibrant.”
The President also announced that he will soon give cash to the selected health workers he recognised during the first Annual Zikomo Awards as a way of showing gratitude to the hard work and commitment they portray towards work.
Earlier, SMD president Dr. Victor Mithi hailed President Chakwera for presiding over the AGM, pledging SMD’s commitment towards serving Malawians with diligence.
Mithi also applauded the President for plans to construct a modern national hospital, noting that the facility would also be a teaching and learning centre for the medical profession.
He, therefore, said although the challenges doctors and health workers in country face were many, they will continue to work with dedication, trusting in the current leadership to find lasting solutions to the same.
“We know we have issues of training; issues of salaries and issues of housing, but we want to assure you and the nation at large, that we will never leave you alone,” Mithi said.
He added: “We will stick with this nation and we will contribute our best even though we are passing through all these troubles because we know that one day you will come, you are our man, you listen and you provide.”
The theme for the AGM is: ‘Mapping the Health Sector and Doctors’ Welfare in the Midst of Covid-19; Today and Beyond.’
