Health workers prodded to uphold medical ethics
Written by Millennium on June 12, 2019
OLIVER SAMBOKO writes
@SunZambian
GOVERNMENT has warned health workers in Siavonga district to stop the habit of disclosing people’s HIV/AIDS statuses to third persons.
District commissioner Lovemore Kanyama said it was against medical ethics to disclose the health status of people seeking medical attention at any health institution.
He warned that his office would not tolerate any unprofessional conduct by health personnel in Siavonga district, adding that those in the habit of sharing patient’s confidential information were not going to be spared.
“Those health workers in a habit of disclosing people’s health status without the owner’s authorization must immediately stop or else the office of district administration will not protect such characters when found wanting.
“Once found wanting, such individuals will be punished and dismissed from the civil service,” warned Mr. Kanyama.
Mr. Kanyama however, appealed to the member of the public not shun seeking medical attention at Government health institutions in the district for fear that their health information would be disclosed to other persons.
He said health workers knew just too well the consequences of disclosing their client’s HIV/Aids statuses and therefore assured the public that their information would always be kept secret.
“Members of the general public should feel free to visit health centres across the district, their status will be kept in secrecy,
“Even those entrusted to handle our health files know the punishable consequences of leaking someone’s health information,” said Mr Kanyama
