SIX hundred and fifty six (656) health professionals who sat for the Health Professions Council of Zambia September/October 2018 professional licensure examinations have failed.

HPCZ Registrar, Dr. Aaron Mujajati has told a media briefing that a total of 30 professions were represented in the September-October 2018 examinations with the number of candidates who attempted being 1,888 collectively, out of which 1,232 cleared, translating into 65 percent pass rate.

Dr. Mujajati says the 65% pass rate recorded in the September/October exams represents a drop in performance compared to the May/June exams when a 75% pass rate was recorded.

He says the performance of degree and certificate holders was poor compared to diploma holders who performed relatively better.

Dr. Mujajati states that 112 medical doctor candidates attempted the exams of which only 21 passed representing a 16 percent pass rate.

He adds that out of the 112 doctors who sat for the exams, 103 were foreign trained while 9 were trained at local institutions

Dr. Mujajati has stressed that only those candidates who have passed the Licensure examinations will be registered and issued with practicing certificates while the rest will be given an opportunity to re-sit.

Meanwhile Dr. Mujajati says HPCZ will investigate a matter where a health worker is seen posting pictures of patients who are on anti-retroviral drugs to establish to what extent the health worker has violated the patients’ privacy.