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sector to enhance service delivery. Health and Child Welfare Minister Henry Madzorera, said the Ministry was failing to secure the services of critical staff such as medical doctors due to the delay in getting Treasury’s approval.
The Minister said this in the House of Assembly on Wednesday during a question and answer session.
Chikomba Central MP, Mr Moses Jiri (MDC-T) had asked why Chivhu hospital had no doctors.
“It is recommended that the freeze on the posts within the health sector be lifted, to enable recruitment, to fill in the vacant posts within the health sector. Shortages of manpower compromises health service delivery,” said Minister Madzorera.
He said in 2011, doctors were deployed to various districts but the process hit a snag owing to the delay in getting concurrence from Treasury.
“Most doctors found alternative employment and by the time concurrence was granted by Treasury, the doctors were in gainful employment elsewhere without the public service, hence the shortage,” he said.
Responding to another question, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said Treasury did not provide any money for building grants to schools, something that used to go a long way in assisting schools.
Gokwe legislator Cde Dorothy Mangami (Zanu-PF) had asked what happened to grants that used to be given to schools.
“In last year’s budget we were allocated US$66 million for non salary expenditure.
“We received US$14,8 million, accordingly, there was no money available for any building either in grants or special grants for education.
“We hope that this will not happen again this year,” said Minister Coltart.
Cde Mangami also wanted to know from Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga how long it took for a person in an acting capacity to be confirmed as substantive.
“Teachers in the Ministry of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture are allowed to act for two terms while members in the rest of the Public Service members act for 184 days.
“Any extension beyond the stipulated period is supposed to be sanctioned by the Public Service Commission. This is as stated in Section 27 (7) (a) and (b) of the Public Service Regulations, 2000,” said Minister Matibenga.
She said there was no guarantee that a member acting in a particular post will be substantively appointed or confirmed in that post.
“The Public Service Act states, when considering candidates for appointment to promotion, the Commission shall have regard to the merit principle, that is, the principle that preference should be given to the person who, in the Commission’s opinion, is the most efficient and suitable for appointment to the office,” she said.
Online Reporter