09/12/2025
Minister of Health Calls RDAZ Action Premature Amid Ongoing Recruitment Process
By Exildah Phiri
Minister of Health Dr. Elijah Muchima has criticised the Residents’ Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ) for threatening to down tools over delays in recruiting medical volunteers, saying the association rushed to the media instead of returning to the dialogue table.
Speaking during a press address, Dr. Muchima said volunteers are not yet government employees and participate as a personal choice, stressing that the ministry had earlier met with the association and agreed on clear procedures to guide future recruitment.
He explained that Zambia’s current economic and operational pressures particularly the national power crisis, which he described as a priority number one, issue for government have affected the timing of recruitments across sectors.
Dr. Muchima indicated that the government has not halted the recruitment of health workers noting that treasury authority for new recruitments was granted about two weeks ago, triggering a phased process that includes handling pending promotions and internal assessments before wider consultations.
Approximately 2,000 health workers are expected to be recruited, with considerations already made for those in the existing database.
The Minister urged RDAZ to return to discussions with the ministry instead of escalating matters publicly, insisting that the Ministry of Health remains open and willing to update them on progress.