Health workers at Zomba Central Hospital (ZCH) on Monday morning downed their tools after realising that the two officials they demanded to be removed from management team by the Ministry of Health had reported for duties.
The chief nursing officer a Mrs Nyirenda and the hospital’s director Dr Mathias Joshua sneaked into their offices early in the morning, a situation that irked the health workers to strike.
Patients seeking treatment at the health facility were left unattended to.
The hospital wards, the pharmacy and the out-patient departments were deserted as all the health workers went round the premises chanting and singing. They later staged a vigil outside the offices of the two under fire managers.
Sensing danger, the two managers locked themselves up in their offices and called the police for assistance. Police officers in uniform arrived at the hospital at around 11am and tried to reason with the striking health workers who appeared unmoved with the situation.
Keys for the padlock of the offices were missing as the health workers claimed not responsible.
Ministry of Health public relations officer Henry Chimbali on Monday said Zomba City Council chief executive officer and district commissioner have been asked to manage the situation at the hospital.
