ORMED's position is stated in a press release, to which the Lusa agency had access this Monday, stating that it was "with great perplexity and deep indignation" that it became aware of the content of documents and information, which circulate on social networks, about "a possible assembly on 17 October this year" convened by a group of associated doctors from Luanda, belonging to the Northern Regional Council of ORMED.
According to the note, signed by ORMED staff member Elisa Gaspar, since the provincial councils of Cabinda, Zaire, Uige and Bengo, which make up the northern region, "did not adhere to this claim", the suspension of the said assembly was determined.
The decision of ORMED aims to guarantee "the real participation of the registered doctors in the resolution of both specific local problems and national problems", stressing that the order exercises its action through provincial, regional and national bodies".
The document stresses that no formal document has reached the headquarters of ORMED that informed of the holding of the aforementioned assembly, recalling that, although the statute of the order gives legitimacy to the members to do so, it is necessary to respect the assumptions described above.
In addition to suspending the holding of the meeting, ORMED also determined the end of the collection of ongoing signatures, without the prior knowledge of the staff and the presidents of the respective councils and regions.
"All official documents require prior knowledge and authorization of the staff before being made public, while the process of reform implemented at the level of order," reads the statement.
ORMED highlights that the call shows a total failure to comply with the rights and duties of the members (the allies to the call), pointing out namely: participate in the activities of the order and keep them informed, defend the good name and prestige of the Order of Physicians and pay the dues and other regulatory debts.
"Finally, ORMED appeals to the medical class to discuss in an engaged and committed way, to find the best solutions for the resolution of the various problems that have arisen in the performance of its activities and, with this, the country continues to follow the path that should pursue a true democratic system that regulates the organic and internal life of the Order of Physicians," the note stresses.
Last month, the president of the Northern Regional Council of the Order of Physicians, Arlete Luyele, stated that she has legitimacy to convene the general assembly in order to discuss the removal of the staff of ORMED, accused of alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of funds from the institution.
Arlete Luyele told Lusa at the time that the management of the order "is marked by very serious non-conformities," including accusations of a financial nature and "burning internal problems," due to the vacancy of the plenary of the regional councils.
"There are very serious non-conformities, but as a matter of ethics I assert the saying that dirty laundry is washed at home. We have a lot of dirty laundry to do and the right place for this washing will be at the general assembly on October 17," he noted.
According to Arlete Luyele, the doctor statutorily "must defend the good name and prestige of the order" and that's what they are doing, acting "in solidarity in defense of all collective interests.
Elisa Gaspar, for over a year in the position of staff member of ORMED, is accused of "misappropriation of funds and harmful management" of the institution, including an alleged embezzlement of 19 million kwanzas, and "other unjustified expenditures".
After the accusation of alleged embezzlement made by the former head of the office of the staff, Domingos Cristóvão, the northern regional supervisory board of ORMED requested an external audit of the accounts of professional order for alleged "misappropriation of funds, various irregularities and harmful management," charged to the doctor Elisa Gaspar, who denied and minimized these accusations.
ORMED's northern regional council comprises the provinces of Luanda, Bengo, Zaire, Uíje and Cabinda.
