Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) board has justified its determinations against Dr. Charles Dzamalala and Dr. Ruth Chimutu who are both accused of misconduct in relation to the Kottana Chidyaonga, who died under controversial circumstances in January 2020.
Dzamalala’s autopsy report has come under serious question and the council has found him guilty for concluding that Kottana had died after consuming termik.
Chimutu, on the other hand, is accused of medical negligence in relation to the treatment she provided to the late Kottana.
While Dzamalala has received a written warning as punishment, Chimutu has been suspended for three months.
In an interview on Tuesday, the council’s board chairperson Professor John Chisi argued that the penalties are in line with the procedure and law.
“These penalties are in line with the Act of Parliament, which governs the Medical Council. Professionally, we understand how serious these penalties are,” he said.
Chisi said the board is independent as it includes professionals from the medical profession and outside, adding that it has powers to stop someone from practising but these offences did not warrant such.
Timothy Mtilosanje, boyfriend to the late Kottana and one of the murder suspects, has since expressed his intention to sue both Dzamalala and the State for imprisonment and character assassination, according to his lawyer Khwima Mchizi.
Mtilosanje lodged a complaint to the council against Dzamalala.
Dzamalala has also indicated his intentions to appeal the decision of the board.
The council’s assistant registrar Richard Ndovie confirmed that they have sent the determination both to Chimutu and Ministry of Health.
Kottana died on January 3 2020 allegedly after a snakebite.
But Dzamalala’s pathology report on January 13 2020 dismissed the snake bite as the cause of death, concluding that this was homicidal and termic was the cause of death.
The board has so far issued 44 determinations against 44 medical practitioners who include clinical officers, clinical associates, medical assistants, radiographers and medical practitioners and specialist doctors.
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