By BRIAN HATYOKA –
THE Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has urged health practitioners in Zambia to take lessons from the sentencing of Luampa Mission Hospital medical doctor Kwalela Kafunya to three years imprisonment on three counts of defamation of the President.
On Wednesday, the Mongu Magistrates Court sentenced Dr Kafunya for defamation of the President.
Zambia Police Service public relations officer Esther Katongo confirmed the development in a press statement.
HPCZ public relations officer Terry Musonda said health practitioners should be professional at all times and avoid abusing social media like the case for Dr Kafunya.
Mr Musonda said in an interview yesterday that the disciplinary committee of the HPCZ was expected to meet and determine the fate of Dr Kafunya following his sentencing.
“We urge health practitioners to take lessons from the court sentence. Health practitioners should be professional and avoid abusing social media.
“We will continue to discourage any abuse of social media among practitioners. We urge practitioners to use social media constructively especially in the exchange of knowledge and information in the field of medicine among others,” Mr Musonda said.
He urged health practitioners to imitate many practitioners in Zambia who were working hard without any questionable behaviour.
“As HPCZ, we are on record early last year having condemned the unprofessional and unethical behaviour of Dr Kafunya when he was arrested on allegations of social media abuse.
“We are saying the courts of law have spoken and we can’t speak louder than them. Abuse of social media by health practitioners in any form is not condoned.
“For us, such elements or people are the ones who are tarnishing the good image of many competent and hardworking health practitioners,” Mr Musonda said.