Healthcare Recruitment Drive Receives Over 100,000 Applications

More than 100,000 people have applied to the ongoing recruitment of health workers in Zambia. The admissions come after a push by the New Dawn government to recruit 11,200 health workers and 30,000 teachers to reduce shortages and encourage growth in the sectors.

The news comes after Commission Chairperson, Peter Mumba spoke in Lusaka during a national update stating that the target had been met with 11,276 health workers having been accepted onto the programme.

Mr. Mumba outlined that the Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of applicants with numbers at 21,301, followed by Copperbelt Province which gained 19,778 applicants and Muchinga Province recording 5,918 potential workers.

Numbers are expected to rise after the deadline for applications was extended to the 8th of April, with applications for optometry technologists scheduled to close today.

Mr. Mumba further stated, “So far a preliminary assessment shows that various institutions have received an estimated number of 109,777 applications.”

In another move to ensure fairness during the application process, Mr. Mumba established a Human Resource Management Committee in nine provinces with one more due to be constructed in the Western province next week.

The human resource management committees will push to ensure that the application process is fair, inclusive, equal and meritorious. For these reasons, Mr. Mumba also stated that there would be engagement by the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disability to ensure these standards were met.

Additionally, Western Province Health Director, Dr. Francis Liywali discussed how applicants will first be reviewed at the district level under the supervision of the District Commission, then will be examined by the provincial team and lastly will be observed by the national team before a decision is reached.

In line with the New Dawn government's plan to stamp out corruption, it was also stated that the Anti-Corruption Commission would monitor the recruitment process to ensure compliance with the selection criteria and guidelines.

This sentiment was also shared with the Chief Government Spokesperson and Information and Media Minister, Chushi Kasanda, during a visit to Lewanika General Hospital.

Ms. Kasanda stated, ‘“Make sure you exercise zero tolerance to corruption and embrace everyone including the female folk and persons living with disability.”

The recruitment exercise delivers on the UPND government’s manifesto commitments of delivering quality healthcare to all Zambians, as well as improving access to well-paying jobs.