Victoria Chitepo Hospital HR officer fired

THE Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital assistant human resources officer – Munyaradzi Maphosa – was recently relieved of his duties for obstructing investigations into the case of abuse of Government Assisted Medical Treatment Order (AMTO) by an assistant accountant at the referral hospital.

An assistant accountant at VCPH, Phillip Sofirinyo (46), was fired for using the Government AMTO to embezzle funds meant for patients’ medical expenses.

VCPH medical superintendent, Dr Hillary Makiwa confirmed that Maphosa was also relieved of his duties.

“Munyaradzi Maphosa, our former assistant human resources officer, was dismissed from his position following internal disciplinary procedures. This action was taken after it was discovered that he had concealed crucial evidence and frustrated efforts to investigate the case involving Philip Sofirinyo.

“ Sofirinyo was found guilty of misusing the Government Assisted Medical Treatment Order (AMTO), and was subsequently dismissed from duty. Maphosa’s attempts to obstruct the investigation led to his own dismissal,” said Dr Makiwa.

The Assisted Medical Treatment Order (AMTO) is a Government programme designed to assist individuals who cannot afford medical treatment by covering their expenses in State-run hospitals.

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is responsible for paying the medical bills of patients issued with an AMTO. Sofirinyo, who was an employee of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, abused this programme by settling medical bills for patients, and then pocketing the money that would have been paid by the patients.

According to investigations, Sofirinyo is facing charges of criminal abuse of duty and fraud, as defined in Sections 174 and 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, (Chapter 9:23).

His responsibilities at Victoria Chitepo Hospital included preparing patient bills, managing accounts payable and receivable, and analysing cash flow statements. However, on December 17, 2024, he allegedly exploited his position to obtain an AMTO from District Social Welfare for a patient, Mr Robson Chasango.

Mr Chasango, who was admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital from December 10 to 17, 2024, owed the institution ZiG1,253 in hospital bills. Instead of using the US$120 received from Mr Chasango’s relative, Mr Blessed Gunyere, to settle the bill, Sofirinyo allegedly pocketed the money.

He then billed the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare for Mr Chasango’s medical expenses, totalling ZiG16 253, through the AMTO.

Furthermore, on January 17, Sofirinyo allegedly defrauded Mr Marcus Chigura of US$20, misleading him into believing that the money would be used to settle Mr Prince Chigura’s outstanding hospital bill of ZiG1 749.

Sofirinyo falsely promised to use the US$20 to swipe the equivalent amount in local currency to cover the bill, deceiving Mr Chigura into handing over the cash.

As a result of Sofirinyo’s actions, Mr Chigura suffered a financial loss of US$20, which was never recovered.