• Health services were temporarily disrupted at the mission hospital.
• This follows the death of a patient whose family accused a doctor of negligence.
• HPCZ, working with other authorities is investigating the matter.
Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has urged citizens and health practitioners to adhere to the Patients’ Rights Charter and National Healthcare Standards to ensure quality in healthcare.
Council Senior Public Relations Officer Terry Musonda told Money FM News that the institution regrets recent reports of verbal and physical violence involving healthcare service beneficiaries and health practitioners at Kalene Mission Hospital in Ikelenge District of North-western Province.
Mr. Musonda said it is disheartening to learn that health services were temporarily disrupted at the mission hospital following the death of a patient whose family accused a doctor of negligence, causing the Ikelenge community to rise against the named doctor and staff at the health facility.
“It must be noted that all patients have rights as well as responsibilities when they visit health facilities and that all health practitioners equally enjoy certain rights which must be respected at all times,” Mr. Musonda said.
He stated that the institution and other authorities have instituted investigations into both the alleged negligent behaviour and the violence against health personnel by the Ikelenge community.
“Among the responsibilities of a patient are to respect health practitioners and desist from any form of physical or verbal abuse against health practitioners. In the same manner, health practitioners are expected to be professional and abide by the Code of Ethics and other guidelines within their practice,” he added.
On 11th November 2021, Police in Ikelenge district arrested two brothers for allegedly assaulting a medical doctor of Kalene mission hospital after the death of their biological brother who was admitted at the health facility for treatment while being attended to by Dr. Chola Kafwimbi.
