Health workers arrested over medical equipment

Police in Karonga on Monday arrested two health workers at Wiliro Health Centre for allegedly conniving to steal medical equipment and supplies.

Karonga District Council director of health and social services David Sibale has confirmed that the two, Leonard Gondwe, 40 and Conorious Kaonga 42 have been arrested and the issue is being handled by police.

Karonga Police Station spokesperson George Mulewa said Gondwe was arrested at Songwe Border Post.

“We arrested him for being found in possession of ten packets of malaria test kits and contraceptive drugs and the value of the items is yet to be established,” he said.

Mulewa said Gondwe revealed during interrogation that he acquired the items from Kaonga who works at Wiliro Health Centre in the district.

The two are expected to appear before court to answer charges of being found in possession of medical equipment and supplies without licence and theft by civil servant.

Gondwe comes from Kaundi Village in Traditional Authority Kilupula while Kaonga comes from Chibaya Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in the district.

The development comes a few days after police in the district arrested two other health workers at Mlare Health Centre on similar allegations.