Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:07:38 +0000
By MUYANI SHINJABALE
HEALTH Practitioners have been cautioned against unprincipled use of social media but should instead use it positively in conducting works such as research.
The warning follows the recent imprisonment of a medical doctor, Kwalela Kafunya, at Luampa Mission Hospital in Mongu, Western Province, for defamation of the President.
The axe fell on Dr. Kafunya after he created a fake Facebook account for purposes of bringing the name of the Republican President into ridicule.
He did this by posting disturbing remarks, insults and digitally altering images of the Republican President.
Welcoming the judgement, Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) Public Relations Officer, Terry Musonda told Daily Nation that the courts of law had set a tone on the consequences of abusing social media saying this would send a strong warning to people that are in a habit of abusing social media.
“This should send a message to social media abusers among the health practitioners where lessons can be drawn.
“Actions of abuse of social media are tarnishing the image of the health practitioners particularly the doctors because some of them out there are working tirelessly to uphold their professional ethics,” he said. Mr Musonda guided health personnel in various fields to use social media constructively and positively in conducting their works.
He noted that the health council had remained committed to promoting health care for the people as well as safeguarding the public’s interests in the health sector.
He said the Council was waiting on the disciplinary committee to sit down and determine the way forward with regards to the professional stance to be taken on the abuse of social media by some health practitioners.
Mr Musonda urged all health practitioners to refrain from abusing social media as well as other abuses that might tarnish the image of the health sector in the country.
