CIVIL SERVANTS OPPOSE ALIGNMENT OF NHIMA TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH

By Fulman Mukobeko

CIVIL Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWU) Secretary General Makai Makai  has condemned the Government’s decision of taking  National Health Insurance (NHI) to the Ministry of Health.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Makai said it is unfortunate that the Government handed NHIMA to the Ministry of Health without consulting the workers.

He said the Government must not use unilateral decisions, saying the issue of NHIMA should be brought back to the round table so that workers can agree where the health scheme must sit.

“The Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) is on record as having condemned the move because it has been done without consultations. So we demand that the issue be brought back…Can we discuss it. We must get back to the tripartite arrangement so that we agree as workers where this scheme should sit,” Mr. Makai said.

“The UPND must start doing the wrong things that all these other previous Governments did. Consultation is important in these matters. They should learn to consult. They should not be making discretionary decisions because this is a tripartite issue.”

He accused the Government of hijacking the health scheme that started on the bargaining table.

“The Government hijacked it and rushed it to Parliament where they know we don’t sit,” he complained.

He said the union clapped for the Government when it took NHIMA from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Labour because it was the right thing.

“NHIMA is a social arrangement. It is a social scheme. This is our money, it is not their money and as workers, we have a voice to say where it should sit,” he said.

He said CSAWU will always give Government Checks and balances.

“We are there to give checks and balances. We shall not stand on the anti-hill and sing praises when the UPND is doing wrong things.  We shall stand on the anti-hill and sing praises when the UPND do correct and right things” he said.