By Wezzie Gausi:
Six medical practitioners have been found guilty of different offences they committed while working in hospitals across the country, Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) has said.
MCM heard 12 disciplinary cases of which five were from public facilities, six were from private health facilities while one did not involve any health facility.
According to a statement signed by the council’s registrar Davie Zolowere, four involved medical practitioners, six involved clinical officers and one concerned a laboratory technician.
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The statement shows that six cases registered a guilty verdict, five a not guilty verdict and one case was referred.
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“Webster Chinkhandwe, a clinical officer at Bwaila Hospital, was found guilty for conducting a caesarean section under the influence of alcohol and perforated the bowel during the procedure. He has been suspended for one year, employer to discipline the practitioner for practising under the influence of alcohol in line with the Malawi Public Service Regulations.
“Chinkhandwe is to undergo an assessment of fitness to practice with a focus on alcohol dependency before resuming duties. Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) must appear for a hearing at the MCM disciplinary hearing committee,” the statement reads.
The council has also found the KCH director guilty for failing to implement the World Health Organisation (WHO) surgical safety checklist, and for allegedly failing to provide adequate staff to support the surgery.
“A warning has been written to the office of the KCH director. KCH has been ordered to institutionalise the WHO surgical safety checklist in all its operating theatres within two months.
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“KCH should implement the strategies to ensure adequate staffing in the theatre department within two months to support surgeries and to pay part of the investigation cost, among other recommendations,” the statement reads.
The statement further indicates that Joseph Gama, a clinical officer working at KCH, was found guilty of failing to use the WHO surgical safety checklist as a leading surgeon.
He is also accused of failing to ensure that the gauze used was counted before closing the abdomen, causing gossypiboma.
The World Health Organisation describes gossypiboma as a rare surgical complication that occurs when a piece of gauze, sponge or other cotton material is left in a patient’s body after surgery.
It further indicates that the term comes from the Latin word gossypium (cotton) and the Swahili word boma (place of concealment).
“A warning letter has been handed to him and he must present a CPD session on epidemiology, prevention and management of gossypiboma within three months of receiving the determination,” Zolowere said.
Semu Banda, a clinical officer at Mtemba Clinic, has been found guilty of opening an illegal private clinic and commenced services without registration.
The clinic has been accused of not adhering to infection prevention and control procedures.
He is to pay a fine for operating an illegal clinic, pay part of the investigation cost, conduct COD presentation on waste management and IPC.
The case has also been referred to Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi and Pharmacy Medicines Regulatory Authority.
Another person that has been found guilty is Symon Kizito Ntholo, a laboratory technician who works at African Bible College Clinic.
“He fabricated Covid-19 test results and destroyed laboratory materials on dismissal. A suspension for one year has been granted to him, and [he has been] fined to pay part of the investigation costs,” it says.
Precious Makiyi, a medical practitioner, has been found guilty for conducting unlicenced prescribing of medication, improper diagnosis and inadequate patient care.
He is also accused of being involved in private practice without a private practising licence.
“MCM has recommended for erasure from the internship register until deemed fit to practice. [He] should not be involved in public health programs until he normalises his registration status with MCM and advises news broadcasting stations to utilise registered experts on all health programmes to safeguard the public,” the determination reads.
Commenting on the development, Health Rights Activist Maziko Matemba said professionalism was key to effective service delivery.
“Medical professionals should always adhere to their ethics when discharging their duties as health is life,” Matemba said.
In 2023, seven medical personnel fell on the wrong side of the Medical Practitioners Act, having been found guilty of different charges that patients reported to MCM.
