OPPOSITION MPs BACKS NONM INJUNCTION ON NURSES’ RECRUITMENT

Opposition MPs on Tuesday backed the injunction taken by National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM) restricting government from conducting interviews on the newly graduated nurses, saying the move taken by government was unconstitutional.

Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume told Parliament on Tuesday that the injunction taken by NONM will delay recruitment of 200 nurses.

Kumpalume was reacting to a point of order raised by former Vice President Khumbo Kachali asking the Minister to issue a statement on recruitment policy following media reports that the government has failed to recruit over 50 doctors and over 300 nurses.

Minister response did not please opposition MPs especially Ntchisi north MP who questioned the move, saying how could the government interview the nurses when it had already offered them jobs and posted them in various public health facilities.

In September this year, Ministry of Health (MoH) withdrew offer letters of employment to the newly recruited nurse/midwife technicians and nursing officers, but did not give reasons for the withdrawal.

The development received criticisms from all corners and government later rescinded its decision called the nurses for the interviews scheduled for November 17 and 20 this year.

But the interviews failed to take place due to the injunction taken by NONM on Monday in Blantyre.

NONM argued that there was no need to interview the nurses since the government had already offered them employment letters.