HEALTH MINISTER MUCHIMA DEFENDS MOVING WITH PERMANENT SECRETARIES DURING COUNTRYWIDE TOURS
Health Minister Elijah Muchima explains why he travels with his Permanent Secretaries to make informed decisions in the field.
Lusaka, Zambia, September 20 – Health Minister Elijah Muchima has clarified his decision to travel with his Permanent Secretaries during his nationwide tours, saying it enables him to make informed decisions by witnessing the realities on the ground. Speaking on Wednesday at his office during a visit from the Zambia Medical Association (ZMA), Muchima emphasized that his approach to leadership is different, and he wants his team to see firsthand the challenges faced by healthcare workers in rural areas.
“I heard someone on social media saying the new minister for health is moving with Permanent Secretaries wherever he goes, leaving patients. In my office, I don’t have patients. Patients are in the hospitals. I need to interact and see the most remote areas where people are not accessing these services, where people are dying. Why do I move with Permanent Secretaries? Some of these issues you are bringing, we need to deal with them on the spot,” Muchima explained.
He highlighted the motivational impact of having top officials, such as professors and doctors, visit rural healthcare facilities. “It is motivating for a nurse in the village to see a professor, doctor. When I go with them, they access them. You motivate your people.”
Muchima also discussed plans to mobilize retired specialists through Zambia’s Flying Doctors Service to offer services across the country, particularly in remote areas. “I am trying to convince my colleagues through Flying Doctors, if we can mobilize specialists who retired but are still able, to offer services from the comfort of their seats. We want to attend to many cases there and reduce the number of patients being flown out,” he said.
Regarding licensure exams for medical practitioners, Muchima revealed that he is working with the Attorney General to resolve the matter outside of court. “This issue of licensure exams is in court. I have asked the Attorney General if we can discuss this matter out of court,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Zambia Medical Association Secretary General Dr. Oliver Kaoma voiced concerns over the suspension of specialist doctor registrations. He urged the government to resume the registration process to avoid sending a negative message to the public and international community. “The stoppage of registration sends a bad message. We believe that whatever challenges we are having can be sorted internally while registration continues,” Dr. Kaoma said.
In response, Ministry Permanent Secretary Prof. Christopher Simoonga explained that the Zambia College of Medicines (ZACOMS) needs to register under the correct legal framework. “ZACOMS was established under the Societies Act, but they provide services of a higher education institution. They need to reorganize themselves and register under the Higher Education Act,” he said.
