Nurses and support staff at Karonga District Hospital (KDH) have today started a sit-in as they demand the removal of the hospital’s management.
The main gate to the hospital has been closed and posters pasted all over, with messages calling for the immediate removal of the Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS), District Environmental Health officer (DEHO), District Medical Officer (DMO), District Nursing and Midwifery Officer (DNMO), Transport Officer and Senior Nursing Officer.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Spokesperson for the disgruntled employees, Dunstan Phiri said they have lost trust in their management accusing the leadership of poor management.
“We want the immediate transfer of the District Health Management Team comprising DHSS, DEHO, DNMO, DMO, HR, Transport Officer and Senior Nursing Officer. We don’t trust them anymore,” Phiri said.
On 15th of August 2023, these nurses and support staff petitioned the district commissioner (DC) demanding the transfer of the management team.
Among other reasons, management is being accused of failure to provide food for nurses on locum, failure to buy uniforms, fuel mismanagement and favouritism.
Commenting on the issue, Karonga DC, Rodrick Mateauma said the issues were resolved at council level and a way forward was drawn.
“The same was communicated to the Local Government Service Commission. However, having resolved the issues and agreed on a way forward, they are still insisting that the DHMT members be posted away,” Mateauma said.
