Workers shunning Karonga health centre over witchcraft
Health workers are shunning transfers to Fulirwa Health Centre in the southern part of the lakeshore district of Karonga over witchcraft.
Communities around the health centre, which is in the area of Senior Chief Wasambo, now have to travel long distances of up to 20 kilometers to access health services at Chilumba rural hospital.
Nicholas Mwenibabo told Nyasa Times that they are “now forced to walk by foot” to get to Chilumba.
He said it all started with a long illness of one health worker at the centre two years ago.
Senior Chief Wasambo confirmed the developed but faulted the health workers for being “overly superstitious.”
He said: “They believe there is witchcraft practice here because of animals like owls and bats. But it is because the place has been neglected since it was constructed in 1976.”
Karonga District Health Officer, Phineas Mfune, also ruled out witchcraft fears. According to him, it is because the area is hard to reach.
“Without electricity, potable water and good housing, health workers shun the facility,” said Mfune.
The current medical assistant, Henry Mwamuwunda, was deployed to the area after media pressure to the district health office.
The communities are certain he will also leave soon.
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According to Chief Wasambo, the place was neglected since 1976. Thanks to the MP Malani Mtonga for bring electricity to the healthy centre and for renovating the hospital and staff houses. Am sure now they will not run away from the hospital.
the area is not for msowoya,msowoya is for karonga nyungwe.
Who is the MP for this area? He needs to act and help his people by mediating into the issue. It will be fruitless to have a hospital without staff to work there.
Is it Msowoya or who? Be proactive guys and do not wait until things go worse because it will be too late. Sha……. kupousa bwanji? Issues of witchcraft are complicated because everyone will believe there is witchcraft and hence they will refuse to work there because of fear. Please address the issue and stop waiting for too long please…