The Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has suspended an Itezhi-tezi clinical officer’s practicing license for posting pictures of patients during an ART session on his Facebook page.

And HPCZ says health practitioners should uphold the professional code of conduct and should therefore desist from capturing and sharing pictures of patients during work sessions.

In a statement, Tuesday, HPCZ Senior Public Relations Officer Terry Musonda stated that the council received a complaint from the public on the alleged violation of patients’ right to privacy and confidentiality who were attending Anti-Retro Viral Treatment session conducted by the clinical officer, Mwansa Chalwe.

He disclosed that Chalwe allegedly posted pictures of the patients on his Facebook page, an act which was unethical and a professional misconduct.

“HPCZ has confirmed receipt of a complaint from the public on the alleged violation of patients’ right to privacy and confidentiality who were attending Anti-Retro Viral Treatment (ART) session conducted by Mr. Mwansa Chalwe, Clinical Officer General holder of license number HPCZ 10/2/14/06491 working at Nansenga Clinic in Itezhi-tezi, Central Province,” Musonda stated.

“It is alleged that Mr. Mwansa Chalwe, posted pictures of clients (Patients) during an ART session on his Facebook page which violated their privacy and confidentiality. Thealleged action by the Clinical Officer General was unethical and a professional misconduct.”

Musonda stated that Chalwe had since been served with a letter of suspension of his practicing license and was not permitted to perform any duty at any health facility until the matter was determined.

He added that investigations into the matter had continued.

“Mr. Chalwe has since been served with a letter of suspension of his practicing license while HPCZ conducts further investigations into the matter.To this effect, Mr. Chalwe will not be allowed to attend to patients and is not permitted to perform any duty at any health facility until the matter is determined. The Health Professions Council of Zambia has also written to both the Provincial and District Health Offices in Central Province informing them of this decision,” stated Musonda.

He said health practitioners should desist from capturing and sharing pictures of patients during work sessions and should uphold the professional code of conduct.