The Nyasaland Network of Health Systems bemoans the worsening working conditions)

Court clerk: All silence! The court of his Lordship Judge Mbadwa is now in session.

Judge Mbadwa: This tribunal is today hearing an application from the Nyasaland Network of Health Systems Jolijo Job, why have you sought the indulgence of this tribunal?

Jolijo Job: My Lord, it has been over two centuries of days since the Tokha Alliance assumed the reins of power with fanfare. My lord, whoever coined that expression, that great expectations make frustrated men was on point if you were to consider the current state of the health delivery system.

Our hope to see the poor getting the best health care in public hospitals is waning by the day. The situation in public health facilities is not getting any better. The poor are being treated like the scum of the earth when they visit health facilities because the facilities themselves are underfunded, something that has spurred the corruption of need.

My lord, we agree we have an affable Minister of Health who also happens to be hardworking. It is somehow refreshing to see ‘efforts’ being made to resuscitate the comatose health delivery system that was run down by greedy and selfish people who have since retired.

But sadly my lord, the state of affairs in our referral and district hospitals has hardly improved, why is this so when we have a new broom to sweep clean? So, where are the efforts being applied to bring the much-needed change in the health delivery system?

I don’t think we have wasted all these days strategising in meetings with nothing really to show for. The poor are treated with the same arrogance of the era of the People’s Demagogic Party while the hospitals remain heavily underfunded.

Health facilities remain an eyesore while medical equipment is hardly available and the accessible apparatus is either not functioning or too tired to serve the modern needs.

My lord, the health budget which was increased by34 percent at K283.5 billion from K187.2 billion is not enough to stem the challenges that have bedeviled the sector.

The dilapidated buildings that resemble hospital wards continue to worsen by the day.

The job of clearing the rubble cannot be done using the same old techniques of pure talk and no tangible action.

My lord, why are we here? We want instant action on improving health delivery service and money is no excuse. We believe we have enough money we can put to proper use to improve the situation in our hospitals. I rest my case.

Mbadwa: The government side was not represented in this matter; hence, we cannot continue without them being heard. Having said that, I failed to fathom whether counsel was applying for an injunction or seeking leave for judicial review or was giving an anecdote on the state of health service delivery in the country. I will adjourn this matter to next Monday to let counsel re-arrange his application to the expected standard.

Clerk: All rise!

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