Inadequate Fuel Supplies Mars Ekwendeni Mission Hospital Operations

Frequent power outages emanating from prolonged load shadings are leading to continued losses of life for women and newly born babies at Ekwendeni Mission Hospital in Mzimba district.

This sad development comes following confirmed reports that the health facility is struggling to secure fuels to run the generator used as power back up.

Speaking over the weekend when the Mzuzu Katoto Specialty Lions Club cheered postnatal and antenatal patients at the facility the hospitals Principal Nursing In-Charge, Clara Wachepa described the situation as unbearable and very critical.

“Inadequate Fuel Supplies to run the huge hospital generator have devastating effects for the hospital operations mainly the maternity wing which caters for both women and newly born babies on life supporting machines,” Wachepa said.

Wachepa further disclosed that an average of 134 babies are born every month from expectant mothers in the age group between 16 and 19 years old.

One of the recipients of assorted items Caroline Nyirongo thanked members of the Mzuzu Katoto Specialty Lions Club for remembering to visit expectant mothers admitted at the mission hospital.

In an interview after donating assorted items Lion Dr Charles Masulani said the Lions Club runs on a number of pillars dealing away with issues to do with; sight, child cancer, environment, diabetes and hunger hence giving an early Christmas presents to expectant mothers.

“We came with Christmas gifts to both; antenatal and postnatal mothers here at Ekwendeni Mission Hospital considering the five (5) pillars we operate on which are aimed at reducing human suffering,” Masulani said.

Postnatal mothers were given their assorted groceries packed in a special cloth made by mother groups working under the Rural Development Partners (RDP) funded by GZB of Netherlands.