Lack of surgeons irks government
Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume has stressed the need for the country to have enough surgeons so that people do not travel long distances to access medical care.
He was speaking at a conference organised by the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (Cosecsa).
During the event, 14 specialist from Malawi and others from different countries graduated as surgeons.
“We need surgeons in all the corners of the country. Surgery is cost-effective and must be made accessible to all who require it at the appropriate time, at a facility that is appropriately equipped and manned with trained personnel. But the country lacks that,” Kumpalume said.
He, however, said the country has already taken steps, through the AO Alliance Foundation, to improve Orthopeadic care through local capacity building, specifically through education and professional development of healthcare personnel.
Meanwhile, Surgeons Association of Malawi president, Tilinde Keith Chokotho, said it is really an honour to have about 14 surgeons graduating in the country, saying the development will help reduce some of the problems the country is facing in the health sector.
The graduation came few weeks after government delayed in recruiting newly graduated doctors from the College of Medicine of the University of Malawi.
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