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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
TWO medical doctors stationed at Chiredzi District Hospital have been suspended for three months for alleged misconduct. Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Robert Mudyiradima said a disciplinary board found Dr Tungamirai Rukatya and another medical practitioner only identified as Dr Dube guilty of misconduct last week, but could not provide further information.

“Yes they were suspended, but the matter is being handled by the Ministry of Health and Child Care permanent Secretary Dr Gerald Gwinji,” said Dr Mudyiradima when reached for comment yesterday.

Dr Gwinji could not be reached for comment at the time of going to Press.

The two doctors could also not be reached immediately.

However, sources at the hospital said the two doctors had separate charges both of which constituted acts of misconduct which resulted in maternal deaths which authorities judged were avoidable.

One of the cases allegedly involves a pregnant patient and an escort nurse who died in an ambulance accident while the former was being rushed to Masvingo General Hospital last month. The doctor was accused of having failed to follow certain medical procedures, before the patient was transferred.

Sources said the other one was on duty when an emergency call was made to him to attend to another pregnant patient but he failed to respond leading to the patient’s death.