The Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has expressed deep concern over the recent incident at Kaumbwe Health Centre in Petauke district, where a pregnant woman was forced to give birth on the floor due to alleged neglect by a medical officer. The incident, which has sparked outrage, underscores the importance of upholding ethical and professional standards in the healthcare sector.
HPCZ Public Relations Manager, Terry Musonda, has emphasised that patient care should always take precedence over administrative procedures. He stressed the obligation of healthcare practitioners to adhere to the principles of their profession, including the fundamental tenet of doing no harm to patients.
The incident involved a young woman from Mozambique who presented at the health centre with a referral letter written in Portuguese. Despite the urgent need for medical attention, the woman was reportedly denied assistance due to a language barrier, resulting in her delivering her baby on the clinic floor.
Chieftainess Mwanjawatu of the district took decisive action by expelling the medical officer from her chiefdom for the failure to attend to the pregnant woman promptly. The incident has raised questions about communication barriers and the adequacy of healthcare services in rural areas.
HPCZ has vowed to investigate the matter thoroughly and has called upon healthcare practitioners to prioritise effective communication and patient-centred care. The council reiterated patients’ rights to receive reasonable, respectful, and safe access to health services, particularly in emergency situations.
