New survey reveals shortage of health staff was experienced in 2012

A survey conducted by Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) in Lusaka Province has revealed a significant staff shortage for all positions in health centers across the province.

Nangoma Consult Limited, a consultancy firm engaged by TIZ to carry out the Public Expenditure Tracking Survey in the health and education sectors says the survey revealed that the provincial education office was underfunded by 30 percent.

Team Leader Ngoni Nsana says the differences in numbers of staff between the district health office and the health center was equally significant with 30 vacant positions according to urban health center, while at district office, the vacant positions on record were 220.

Mr. Nsana says excluding funds carried over from the previous financial YEAR; THERE was a shortfall of K1. 7 billion in the Ministry of Health funding by the Ministry of Finance, a difference which may have been bridged by donor support.

Speaking during the presentation of the findings from the health and education sectors, Mr. Nsana says a total of K20, 868, 872 was allocated for infrastructure development and health systems management in Lusaka province, but that unfortunately the Provincial Health Office could not provide figures of actual disbursements of the office for 2012 financial year.

The Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS) was conducted in Lusaka province by TIZ in conjunction with Fojo Media of Sweden and Action for Transparency.