HSAs in Northern Region Raise Welfare Concerns, Mzimba North DHO Responds

There is growing discontent among Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in Malawi’s Northern Region, particularly at Mzimba North District Health Office (DHO), over allegations of unfair treatment, resource allocation and poor staff welfare management.

Khulubvi Online Newspaper has established through its reporter based in Mzuzu that several HSAs have raised concerns regarding how they are treated in the course of their community-based work, accusing authorities responsible for managing and distributing resources of sidelining long-serving officers.

One of the key issues raised relates to the recent distribution of bicycles meant to support HSAs in conducting fieldwork. According to the HSAs, the bicycles were allegedly allocated mainly to newly recruited officers — some of whom are said not to have started work — while experienced HSAs who cover long distances daily were reportedly left out.

In response, the Director of Health and Sanitation Services for Mzimba North, Dr Wamaka Msopole, said the bicycle distribution was part of a partner-supported initiative targeting hard-to-reach areas.

“The recent bicycle distribution exercise was conducted as part of a partner-support initiative aimed at strengthening community outreach in underserved and hard-to-reach areas,” said Dr Msopole.

He disclosed that the district received a total of 151 bicycles against an estimated 800 HSAs serving across Mzimba North. Dr Msopole explained that the beneficiaries were selected using predefined criteria that had been communicated in advance.

“The criteria for allocation included residence within one’s catchment area, deployment and active work in hard-to-reach areas,” he said, suggesting that not all HSAs could be accommodated due to limited resources.

Another serious allegation raised by HSAs is that officers seeking transfers to urban postings are allegedly required to pay bribes of not less than K500,000 to senior officials for their transfers to be approved. This claim has caused outrage among affected HSAs, who say the practice is exploitative and unethical.

However, Dr Msopole did not directly comment on the bribery allegations. Instead, he advised that all grievances and complaints should follow formal channels.

“When it comes to grievances and complaints, these have to be formally submitted and addressed through the Office of the Ombudsman,” he said.

HSAs have also complained about persistent delays in the payment of their allowances, which they say negatively affect their morale and ability to perform their duties effectively. While acknowledging the concerns, the DHO indicated that such issues should be raised formally for appropriate action.

On allegations of unfair and unprofessional treatment of junior staff at the District Health Office, Dr Msopole said his office could not respond substantively in the absence of specific incident reports.

“The office is not able to answer allegations of maltreatment of junior staff as there has been no specific incident formally reported by staff,” he said.

Meanwhile, HSAs in the district have called for transparency, fairness and improved communication between management and frontline health workers, warning that unresolved welfare issues could compromise service delivery at community level. Khulubvi Online Newspaper will continue to follow developments on this matter to ensure accountability and balanced reporting.