Walk-In Fears Resurface as Health Ministry Revises Recruitment Plan For DSCA, Statistical Clerks and Hospital Attendants
Published on May 30, 2025 at 9:28 AM by Evance Kapito
A large number of people have expressed frustration and are pointing fingers at the Ministry of Health for what they describe as a lack of proper organization in the recruitment process for the positions of Disease Control and Surveillance Assistants (DSCA), Statistical Clerks, and Hospital Attendants.
In a public notice released by the Ministry on 29 May 2025, officials announced that changes had been made to the initial shortlist following a probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which uncovered irregularities in the recruitment process.
According to the statement, “Applicants who meet the required qualifications for the advertised positions but were unintentionally omitted from the shortlist can now attend the interviews.”
The updated requirements are as follows:
DSCA: Credit passes in Biology and Mathematics
Statistical Clerks: Credit in Mathematics and English, plus a Certificate in ICT
Hospital Attendants: Only an MSCE certificate is required.
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions. Some of those who were previously left out have welcomed the news, seeing it as a second chance. However, others have expressed concern that the new arrangement may resemble “walk-in interviews,” which are often chaotic and hard to manage.
For instance, in 2020, at least 118 people were injured during a violent stampede at Katoto Secondary School in Mzuzu, where walk-in interviews for Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) were being held.
Concerned citizens are now urging the Ministry of Health to put in place better arrangements this year to avoid a repeat of past incidents.
