Ministry of Health says it is making strides in improving conditions for medical specialists in the country.

The development follows a complaint by the Society of Medical Doctors which wrote the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament requesting for its intervention.

But when appearing before the Committee in Lilongwe, Secretary for Health Dr Charles Mwansambo said the Ministry has embarked on a number of interventions including engaging Treasury on the concerns.

Commenting on the development, PAC Chairperson Joyce Chitsulo said the steps taken by the Ministry are commendable if fully implemented.

“It was a good meeting, we have seen steps that they have already taken.
They engaged the Treasury and they presented to them a budget which will include the things to do with provisional vehicles for the medical specialists and we are happy about,” said Chitsulo.

Chitsulo also bemoaned lack of houses for medical specialists, who she said are sometimes evicted from rented houses because of none payment of rentals.

She said: “But then also there was also an issue of housing for the medical specialists.”

Currently you find that some medical specialists have been evicted from houses because of non payment of rentals by the Ministry of Lands, so it’s also affecting the service delivery.”