Government has dismissed media reports that it has nullified the recruitment of health workers in the country.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says the recruitment of health personnel is on-going using the K73 million funds from the 2016 national budgetary allocation.
Dr. Chilufya told Parliament in a ministerial statement today that 2,000 health workers have so far been recruited in various clinics and hospitals country.
Dr. Chilufya stated that government is focusing to invest in rural areas where primary health care is dearly wanted.
He further refuted claims that the progression rate of construction works of five health posts in Chipili constituency is at zero percent.
“Rumours that my ministry has nullified the recruitment of health personnel is not correct. Mr. Speaker, the recruitment of health staff is on-going,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chilufya has disclosed that government has terminated the contract of Angelique International Limited, the contractor engaged to build 247 health posts under the 650 health posts project.
He said the contractor was engaged to build health posts in Muchinga, Northern, Luapula and North-Western provinces.
The Minister said government has instead engaged the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to complete the project works.
“Mr. Speaker, ZNS has got adequate capacity to carry-out any civil works in any part of Zambia,” he said.
Recently, President Edgar Lungu during the official opening of the first session of the twelfth National Assembly disclosed that 315 of the 650 health posts have been completed.
The Head of State assured the nation and reiterated government’s commitment of improving the health sector in order to take health care services closer to the people.