A CONSORTIUM of Health Professional Associations says its members have resolved to stop volunteering, demanding that they receive their letters of employment by February 18, 2022.

And the Health Professional Associations, comprising 12 societies and associations, say they will march to State House to seek audience and intervention from the President if their conditions are not met.

In a statement, Tuesday, Association chairperson Dr Brian Sampa said the employment of health workers was long overdue.

“The Consortium of Health Professional Associations comprises 12 societies and associations namely, Resident Doctors Associations of Zambia (RDAZ), Zambia Society of Physiotherapy (ZSP), Radiological Society of Zambia (RSZ), Biomedical Society of Zambia (BMSZ), Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia (PSZ), Zambia Medical Licentiate Practitioners Association (ZMLPA), Clinical Officers’ Association of Zambia (COAZ), Public Health Association of Zambia (PHAZ), Zambia Institute of Environmental Health (ZIEH), Dental Therapy Society of Zambia (DTSZ) and Zambia Association for Science Laboratory Technology (ZASLT) and Zambia Association of Biological Scientists,” he said.

“We seek formality, transparency and a hastened recruitment process by the Ministry of Health. The employment of health workers is long overdue and following loose statements or promises that have been made by officials from the Ministry from last year but haven’t yielded anything, our members have resolved to stop volunteering and demand that they receive their letters of employment by 18th February, 2022. Failure to which they will march to the State House to seek audience and intervention from the President.”

Dr Sampa urged general members to remain calm as they wait for a positive response from the Ministry of Health.

“We would also like to condemn comments regarding prioritizing volunteers, the best and those with the right working attitude in the recruitment process as recruitment should offer equal opportunities for all, especially that these are entry level positions. We also urge our general members to remain calm as we wait for a positive response from the Ministry of Health during the period 9th February 2022 – 18th February 2022,” said Dr Sampa.