By 
A Congolese national, Brian Musonda, has been arrested for illegally operating a health facility from his residence in Lusaka’s Makeni area and causing death of a 37 year old woman in an operation to remove fibroids.
The Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) in collaboration with the Zambia Police Service recently conducted an operation where an illegal health practitioner was apprehended for providing services without a license.
HPCZ Public Relations Manager, Terry Musonda, confirmed the arrest of Musonda, aged 36 years, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday.
“Preliminary investigations into the matter reveal that Brian Musonda aged 36 who is of Congolese origin had been masquerading as a health practitioner and operating an illegal health facility from his residence in Lusaka’s Makeni East area,” he said.
Musonda said HPCZ received an anonymous tip of the suspect’s illegal conduct where it was alleged that on dates unknown but within the month of July, he caused the death of a 37-year-old woman of George Compound in his attempt to conduct an operation to remove fibroids.
He said Musonda was arrested on Friday July 28, 2023.
“At the time of his arrest, one patient was found admitted at Musonda’s premises and various medical equipment and supplies were recorded,” Musonda said.
He said the patient was transferred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) while the medical equipment and supplies were seized.
“Musonda has since been charged for contravening several provisions of the Health Professions Act No. 24 of 2009 including Section 6 which prohibits any person from practicing without registration and Section 36 which prohibits operating a health facility without being licensed by the Council,” Musonda said.
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He urged health service consumers to desist from seeking healthcare services from undesignated places or persons who are not registered to practice.
Musonda reminded members of the general public of their right to request for the professional identity of any health practitioner attending them.
“Improving the quality of healthcare services and adherence to National Health Care Standards is not only the responsibility of HPCZ and Law Enforcement Officers but requires concerted effort from members of the public as well,” he said.
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