Health Minister Dr. Elijah Muchima has expressed serious concern about the alarming presence of imposters posing as medical professionals at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka. These individuals, operating under the guise of healthcare providers, have reportedly been exploiting vulnerable patients, swindling money by pretending to offer legitimate medical services.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting held on Wednesday in Lusaka, Dr. Muchima urged UTH management to strengthen staff identification protocols as a crucial step toward eliminating fraudulent actors—commonly referred to locally as chimutengo—who prey on unsuspecting patients.
“These imposters are not just tarnishing the reputation of our healthcare system but putting lives at risk by misleading patients and charging them for services they are not qualified to provide,” Dr. Muchima warned. “We must implement stricter identification systems for our staff to protect our patients and uphold the integrity of healthcare delivery.”
In addition to addressing the imposter issue, Dr. Muchima also raised concerns regarding the current car parking arrangements at UTH. While acknowledging that the hospital’s car park is fee-paying, he pointed out the need for a dedicated free parking space for hospital staff.
“The car park is fee paying, but we also need a car park for our members of staff,” he said. “We cannot be charging them that money; they are coming here for work. The car park is supposed to be free for those coming for work.”
Dr. Muchima’s remarks highlight growing challenges within Zambia’s premier healthcare facility and emphasize the urgent need for enhanced security measures, staff welfare improvements, and patient protection protocols. The Ministry of Health has called on UTH management to act swiftly to safeguard both patients and genuine medical personnel, ensuring a trustworthy and efficient healthcare environment.
As UTH continues to serve as a critical pillar in Zambia’s health system, tackling these concerns is vital to maintaining public confidence and delivering quality care to all citizens.