SOME health posts in Itezhi-Tezhi District are being run by cleaners and other classified daily employees who in some cases assist expectant women to deliver.

The cleaners are further reported to be administering medicine to patients.

Central Province Permanent Secretary Anne Sinyangwe learnt this while on her tour of the district.

Ms Sinyangwe was saddened to learn that a cleaner at a health centre in Najila area was running the facility.

"How can a cleaner be allowed to administer medicine and also inject patients, this is unacceptable.

"What will happen if something goes wrong, that young lady (cleaner)may end in prison for murder, is that what we want to see?" she asked.

She said she would engage the Ministry of Health on the way forward.

Earlier, during a briefing, Itezhi-Tezhi District medical officer Mulenga Kampamba said Lubwe and Bunga health centres had been closed due to shortage of staff.

He said Ngoma has two qualified members of staff while Masasani only had an environmental health officer running the facility.

Dr Kampamba said medical personnel had been posted to needy areas, but officers had not reported due to lack of accommodation.