Medical doctors at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre and Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe went unpaid for the month of May 2013.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali confirmed in an interview on Thursday that some doctors at both referral hospitals and other senior staff at the Lilongwe District Health Office (DHO) have not been paid their May salaries.
One source claimed that there were 56 medical staff at QECH, 96 at KCH and several DHOs who had not been paid. Yet another source, however, said the number of those affected was 60.
But Chimbali did not comment on the numbers of those affected.
He said this was an anomaly and the ministry was working hard to rectify it.
He said the problem was technical and the ministry regretted the situation and does not expect it to happen again.
Sources disclosed that it has been tough for the affected staff to go without a salary, especially at a time every Malawian is feeling the pinch of economic hardship.
The sources claimed other concerned doctors bitter with the development were not reporting for duties, but Chimbali said the ministry does not have such a report.
