Retirement of Dr Chibwe a threat to labour rights, warns Dr M'membe

By MUBITA KATETE

THE retirement in the national interest of Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ) president Dr Paul Kasalwe Chibwe is political considering that the young medical doctor has only worked in government for four years, Dr Fred M'membe has said.

Dr M'membe, the leader of the Socialist Party has described the decision to retire Dr Chibwe as a threat to professional labour rights and constructive engagement in the health sector.

He says the retirement of Dr Chibwe, an orthopaedic and trauma registrar, raises concerns about the manner in which the Ministry of Health is handling administrative changes within the sector.

He has argued that Government should prioritise fair administrative procedures, professional rights and institutional stability when implementing restructuring measures.

Dr M'membe explained that using administrative retirement mechanisms against leaders of professional bodies could discourage constructive dialogue between the government and frontline health workers.

"Utilising administrative retirement mechanisms against the leadership of professional bodies creates a chilling effect on constructive civic dialogue and undermines the collaborative relationship necessary between the state and frontline health workers," Dr M'membe said.

He has also expressed concern over the termination of more than 400 workers at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) and the redeployment of 123 Ministry of Health headquarters employees.

Dr M'membe said the Ministry of Health should instead focus on addressing persistent challenges affecting healthcare delivery, including medicine supply chain bottlenecks, unemployment among healthcare professionals and inadequate resources for clinical operations.

He said the country could not afford to lose specialised young medical personnel at a time when the health sector required strengthened human resources and improved service delivery.

"Dr Chibwe represents a vital tier of highly specialised young medical personnel that Zambia cannot afford to lose," he said.

Dr M'membe has called for reforms that promote democratic workplace management, decentralised resource allocation and greater involvement of communities and healthcare workers in decision-making.

He explained that joint management councils involving medical personnel, union representatives and administrative staff could help promote transparency and prevent arbitrary administrative decisions.

Ends.