. Dr Kasonde
By SAM PHIRI –
ALL the 570 health workers who were dismissed a year ago have been reinstated, Health Minister Joseph Kasonde has said.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Zambia a yellow fever-free zone after stating that travellers from Zambia to other countries do not require vaccination certificates for the disease to enter other countries in the world.
Dr Kasonde said the dismissed nurses were now eligible for re-engagement without loss of their benefits but that the reappointment did not imply that they would be paid for the period while on dismissal.
“I am pleased to say that all those who were dismissed in December 2013 are now eligible for re-engagement without loss of benefits,” Dr Kasonde said.
“I believe that this matter will now be laid to rest and that the demand from Government for discipline and strict observation of the law remains as intact as it was before. Discipline in the health sector is of paramount importance as we serve our patients and the general public.”
Out of the 570 health workers, 67 were immediately reinstated after clarification of their circumstances, while 431 who had reapplied have since been re-appointed and the remaining 71 had their cases processed and are free to collect their letters of re-engagement.
Of those reinstated, 17 were identified as having violated regulations and were previously not eligible for employment.
On yellow fever, Dr Kasonde said the Government had since written to South Africa and Botswana to relook at their demands for certification from travellers from Zambia.
Scientific findings by the WHO conducted in Zambia in 2013 had proved that there was low yellow fever potential exposure status as communicated by the body’s director general to the Ministry of Health.
“This means that travellers from Zambia do not need vaccination certificates for yellow fever in order to enter any country in the world. Of course, the final decisions are made by respective countries. We have written to South African and Botswana governments drawing their attention to the scientific findings and we await their responses,” Dr Kasonde said.
