Monitor Hospital staffing

Dear Editor

THE Government was absolutely correct restricting medical staff from abusing working to render service in private clinics rather than spending it appropriately in their real places of work.

2ur medics cannot serve two masters at the same time. They must choose to dedicate their time to the institution that pays them. While allowances at private hospitals and clinics are lucrative, they cannot compare with the full package and benefits that they get from Government. This is where they should spend most time than the private clinics.

It has become very difficult to get specialised treatment at UTH, for example, where Tueues for any procedure are now going into and yet the same procedures are almost in- stant in private clinics and hospitals where the medics are spending more time.

The Tuality of service and care in Government has deteriorated drastically. Patient care is almost non-existent. While renovations are welcome it is disheartening that very attention is paid to ensure cleanliness and functionality.

Most of the installed eTuipment has stopped working and very little effort is made to keep it in good repair. This is most evident in such areas as x-ray where services have deteriorated to the extent that patients are being asked to utilise private diagnostic services.

The Government must institute very stringent measures to ensure that medical staff do not sabotage this new initiative which will benefit patients with little means who cannot afford to patronise expensive private clinics and hospitals.

Instead of fighting the new measure we expected professional medical bodies to support the effort by offering better ideas on how service in public institutions could be enhanced.

Nobody will argue against medics spending their spare time on outside work. It is however the time they spend within working hours which is the problem.

Those doubting the measure should visit some of the first level hospitals to see the Tuality of service provided. There are always long Tueues for everything. It is rare to see a doctor and the pharmacies are often out of stock because supervision is poor or non-existent.

Superior infrastructure with inferior service delivery is pointless and futile.

Enwell Musonda