Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume has warned health workers across the country to desist from demanding money from patients in public hospitals, saying if found the law will take its cost.
The warning comes barely days after media reports revealed that some medical personnel at Nsanje District Health Office are allegedly demanding cash from patients.
Speaking in an interview after visiting Nsanje District Hospital where the said act is said to have occurred, Kumpalume said health services in public hospitals are free.
“Services in public hospitals remain free. We are dealing with this issue as a matter of urgency.
“Clinicians should not take public hospitals as their own private clinics, the government will deal with them,” said Kumpalume.
Kumpalume also disclosed that drugs worth MK5 billion are stolen every year in public hospital, saying the tendency are affecting health service delivery in the country.
He said government is doing everything possible to deal with drug theft in public hospitals by arresting everyone involved in the malpractice.
