MINISTER of Health Elijah Muchima says despite engaging with the Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ), they have maintained their position in withdrawing volunteering works.
Muchima said after having a cordial meeting with the association, they promised to work with the government of the day, but to his shock they resorted to withdrawing their engagement in volunteering.
He said the association is at liberty to express themselves but they should use the right channel.
Muchima said volunteering is not a forced invitation, but one has to be willing to work on their own.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday morning, Muchima questioned the motives behind the (RDAZ)’s protesting, stating that after promising to work with the government, they went ahead and protested.
“We can’t employ everyone at the same time, Doctors and nurses volunteer because they sympathise with their colleagues, we say thank you to those who are helping, if one feels they can’t work it is his or [her] wish. Volunteering is at one’s will and we appreciate it a lot,” he said.
Muchima reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health shall continue to prioritise the training, recruitment, and equitable deployment of healthcare workers across the country.
“Over the past three years, the Government has recruited a record-breaking of 20,160 healthcare workers,the largest recruitment drive in the nation’s health sector since independence.”
“The Zambian government has continued to prioritise investments in the health sector to improve the health outcomes of its people, this is because the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema knows that good health brings development,” he said.
The Minister has emphasised that while professional associations such as RDAZ play a critical role in maintaining standards, they are not mandated to advocate for actions that disrupt health service delivery, as such disruptions risk compromising public wellbeing.
“The Ministry will maintain its open-door policy to foster ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and mutual respect with all professional associations,” he said.
Meanwhile Muchima said measures to transition volunteers to formal employment are underway, to absorb eligible volunteers into formal, salaried positions.
“This includes the allocation of 2,000 new Treasury-funded positions in 2025 and the continuation of the payroll clean-up exercise to create space for deserving staff,” stated Muchima.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba June 2, 2025
