CAGE BUSINESSMEN DEALING IN COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS

Dear Editor,

THE complexity of our society today requires safety valves to ensure that citizens are protected from being exploited and protected mentally and physically.

In the recent past weeks we have had news making headlines about counterfeit products, schools of nursing being closed for failing to adhere to quality standards and the firing of teachers with fake qualifications.

The quality of our lives is compromised by substandard products and half-baked professionals.

It is therefore not a surprise that we now have a lot of regulatory bodies in our country.

We are vulnerable species that can be wiped out by a few individuals whose desire is to make huge sums of money at all cost.

Regulatory bodies need the support of every citizen but in reality that is not happening.

You don't expect a businessman dealing in counterfeit products to give support to the Zambia Bureau of Standards.

You can't expect good services from a nurse who was trained at a make shift nursing school without the required basics.

We must not expect our children to be literate when their teachers have forged certificates.

We need to bring sanity in our society by speaking against bad vices affecting professionalism and if possible prosecuting those endangering our society.

We need stiff laws to prosecute and jail offenders.

It is not surprising that the General Nursing Council of Zambia and the Teaching Service Commission are now intending to introduce aptitude tests during recruitment of new manpower.

Aptitude tests are meant to evaluate the applicants in the basics of their careers.

Additionally, professional regulatory bodies must vigorous encourage continuous professional development programmes in work places to enhance professionalism.

Zambia will only be a better place if we all support regulatory bodies.

Fighting counterfeit products and functional illiterate professionals is a delicate job that requires support from all stakeholders.

Wisdom Kaunda