By CHUSA SICHONE in Samfya –
ACTING President Guy Scott has implored health workers to be kind and respectful to their patients.

. Dr Scott

Dr Scott said this when he officiated at the opening of Samfya District Hospital yesterday.
He had earlier in the day received a complaint from traditional leaders in the area represented by Chief Kasoma Bangweulu that some medical personnel were rude towards their patients.
Dr Scott said that bad attitude against patients was capable of making the atmosphere unconducive.
“I did receive from the chiefs a complaint about the attitude of some medical staff. I don’t believe this is the general problem but one or two people with bad attitudes towards patients can make a very unhappy environment in a way.
“So please respect your patients, respect your clients. That is the bottom line in healthcare. I know your clients can also be a nuisance but often that’s because they are sick, they are not even thinking properly. So please be kind, be gentle,” he said.
Dr Scott then joked by singing a Bemba song talking about calling upon President Michael Sata whose spirit he said was still present to hand him a whip so that he (Dr Scott) could cane those who were not doing things according to expectations.
Mr Sata as Health minister was renowned for having taken a no-nonsense stance towards erring health workers.
Dr Scott said the Samfya District Hospital would come in handy in the provision of medical services to residents who used to seek health services from distant places like Mansa General Hospital.
“And we want to be sure that children are born in this hospital or born in hospitals nearby so that the mother and the child can be properly screened, properly looked after,” Dr Scott said.
He said four district hospitals were being constructed and 64 health posts in Luapula.
Dr Scott said the main function of the Government was to get things done and not to merely talk about them, and asked the people to vote for the Patriotic Front so that it could improve the country in all aspects.
Senior Chief Kalasa Mukoso said Samfya residents were overjoyed that the hospital was finally being opened and asked the Government to continue with similar gestures.
Luapula Province Minister Benson Kapaya said the province was a giant, which the Government was slowly waking up by addressing various challenges that had befallen the area.
Provincial medical officer Mathews Ng’ambi said the strategic vision for the health sector in Luapula Province was to ensure that expectant mothers delivered in health facilities assisted by competent midwives, reduced the increasing malaria cases, as well as to address the staff attitude concerns.
Dr Scott, who touched down in Samfya at around 10:13 hours accompanied by his wife Charlotte, then flew to Kasenga Island at 13:10 hours.