137, 129 individuals applied in the recruitment of health workers

The civil service commission has disclosed that it has received a total of 137, 129 job applications from various provincial and district data capturing sites for the recruitment of the 11, 275 heath workers.

Speaking at a media briefing, commission chairperson peter Mumba reveals that Lusaka province received the highest number of applications standing at 31,106, followed by copperbelt province with 24,497, central 15,445, southern province 13,269 and eastern province 10,721.

Mr. Mumba says Luapula province received 9,538 applications, north-western 9,423, western 9,138, northern 7,215, and Muchinga 6,777.

He states that of the total applications received, 48,920 accounts for professional cadre positions which include persons living with disabilities against the 11,276 health workers.

Mr. Mumba adds that the overwhelming response of application is an indication that there is high level of unemployment in the country which needs to be addressed.

He says both the initial advert that was extended and the additional one for optometry technologists closed on 7th April and 12th April, 2022 respectively.

And Mr. Mumba reveals that the district health directors and human resource management officers in the various human resource management sub – committees will be reshuffled during the screening and short listing of applicants in order to enhance fairness, transparent and preventing conflict of interest.

Meanwhile, ministry of health permanent secretary dr. George Magwende says the Zambian government has identified health systems strengthening of which human resource for health is a key pillar to achieving the goal of universal health coverage for all.