REWARDING VOLUNTEERS

IT makes sense that the Ministry of Health should give priority to volunteers in the recruitment of health workers.

Such a move would show appreciation to the volunteers who opted to work for nothing after graduating.

These volunteers have demonstrated a true sense of “service before self” by opting to use their skill to service the nation – when their em ployment status was not even on the horizon.

This spirit should be emulated by all job aspi rants that rather than sit at home “rotting,” they are better off gaining the hands-on experience before being formally engaged.

Moreover, what better way to show appreci ation to one’s country than being able to offer one’s expertise for the good of the nation.

Due to budget constraints, the government has been unable to employ graduates in various pro fessions, particularly health and teaching even though these sectors are not well staffed.

But the graduates in health and education sec tor have been offered a lifeline by the new dawn administration which has promised to employ 11, 200 health workers

In addition, Government will recruit 30, 000 teachers

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo confirmed at the weekend that health personnel working as volun teers or on temporal basis in various health facil ities across the country will be prioritised in the recruitment of 11, 200 health workers this year.

Ms Masebo said those coming from colleges would also be considered for employment but shall not be first priority unless in a field where there were no people.

The assurance therefore by the minister of Health that volunteers will be given priority during the recruitment is welcome and no one should cry foul.

These health volunteers are ably demonstrated what President John F. Kennedy said at his in auguration on January 20, 1961: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do”

The spirit of volunteerism has all but disap peared in this self-centred world, with each per son only thinking of his or her own interests, and not what is good for the greater society.

Ms Masebo has asked medical superinten dents in various health facilities to identify the volunteers and ensure that a list is done and sent to the ministry’s headquarters in Lusaka.

We hope that those in charge of recruitment will not frustrate the government’s decision to employ the volunteers by using underhand meth ods to submit those who do not qualify.

President Hakainde Hichilema’s new dawn ad ministration made a lot of promises during the campaign for the August 12 tripartite elections and one of them, recruitment of health staff and teachers are at least bearing fruit.

Although their recruitment is just but a drop in the ocean, at least it is a beginning to improve staffing levels in health facilities to ensure im proved service delivery.

For those volunteers who will make the cut, we hope they will continue with the dedication and passion they have shown even before being put on the substantive payroll.