Two hospital attendants held for possessing human body parts
Police in Nkhotakota are keeping in custody two hospital attendants from Nkhotakota District Hospital for allegedly being found in possession of human parts.
The suspects are identified as Ellen Phiri, 36, of Potifala Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kaomba in Kasungu and Blessings Dustan, 20, of Lizinda Village, Senior Chief Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota.
Nkhotakota Police Spokesperson Kaitano Lubrino said the two were arrested on March 21, 2014 after one of them was discovered carrying two umbilical cords in her hand bag.
“Jotham Nyasulu who is a clinician working as a labour ward in-charge has told Nkhotakota Police that he discovered this during the time he was preparing for his duties in a changing room when a black plastic bag fell down from where other bags were packed.
“Nyasulu was suspicious about its inside contents and he called his deputy who together checked the contents but they were shocked to discover two fresh umbilical cords of 20 – 30 cm long each,” he said.
Lubrino further said this development prompted them to call all staff members who use the room to identify their bags.
“That is when Ellen Phiri who works under same unit identified the bag to be hers and when she was asked about the plastic bag which was inside the bag, she told them that there were goat’s intestines.
“After being pressed, Phiri disclosed that they were umbilical cords. She also said Blessings Dustan who works under minor theatre sent her to get the parts because she is exposed to wastes after delivery of babies at the hospital,” Lubrino said.
The police publicist said Nyasulu also alleged that Dustan was requested to supply the same to a South African based businessman who comes periodically to Malawi for his business.
“Police investigations have revealed that Phiri managed to get the parts during night of 20 – 21 March, 2014.
“At the police, Dustan claimed he wanted to use the human parts as charms for healing his relative who is sick at Sasani Village in the area of senior Chief Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota,” he said.
The two are answering a case of being found in possession of human parts (tissues) contrary to section 16 (b) of the Anatomy Act.
The suspects will appear before Nkhotakota Magistrate Court soon to answer the charges.
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