Minister Muluzi clarifies children did not die to power outage death
Minister of Health and Population, Atupele Muluzi has clarified reports that four babies died at Kamuzu Central Hospital on Christmas Day because of blackout, saying findings have proved that the deaths could not be linked to the power outage.
In a statement issues on Wednesday, Muluzi confirmed the deaths of two babies but reject press report that alleged deaths occurred during a power cut because the hospital had run out of diesel to run its back-up generator.
On Wednesday December 27, The Daily Times published an article that claimed that four babies died as a result of a loss of power at the Kamuzu Central Hospital.
Muluzi instructed the Secretary for Health and Population, Dr Dan Namarika to conduct an investigation into the issue.
He said according to the findings, one child died upon admission to the hospital and the other died while on oxygen whose cylinders do not use electricity.
“The investigation revealed that through 24 hours of Christmas Day (25 December) two babies tragically died at Kamuzu Hospital. The first died because of a severe case of Malaria and the second was suffering a medical condition that tragically was diagnosed too late to be treated. The investigation showed that neither death was caused because of the loss of any power,” Muluzi explained in a statement.
The investigation further established that through the 24 hours of Christmas Day, Kamuzu Central Hospital indeed did suffer a loss of power for ” approximately 10 minutes” and said “unfortunately” the back up generator failed to cover this period.
According to the statement, during that time of power outage “no deaths were recorded” at the hospital.
“Any loss of life is a tragedy, particularly those of young children, however there was very little that the medical team could have done to save either child despite the professionalism that they showed caring for both patients,” said Muluzi.
“I hope that the families of both children will accept the sincere condolences of all in the Malawi medical service and I hope we can respect their privacy at this tragic time,” he added.
And Namarika also said “100Kw of solar power from the recent Global Fund grant will be installed at KCH ear budsly in January. While this is not a total solution it will go some way to supporting the hospital with its future power needs.”
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Mr Muluzi you are respected by virtue of the position you are holding. It could have been wiser if you remained silent on this issue than uttering such verbs, nouns adjectives not palatable to ear. Do not attract unnecessary comments from the public. The position you are holding is respected one.
Don’t politicise the deaths. Children and people die in hospitals of rich countries. Atupele Muluzi`s explanation makes sense. The investigation has been quick and words condolence understandable.
The parents of the dead children should go ahead suing the Ministry of Health. They should not be silenced by Mk500,000 cash each – no human life is worth the money. If wa Jeffrey is claiming millions of kwachas from government for a court case that implicated her, those poor people whose children lost their lives due to government’s negligence should also heavily be compensated through court of law. Muluzi we know who you are defending. To put it simply, you are defending incompetence. The footballer will rule Liberia. Wait for 2019 if Kapoloma will give you votes.
What a hell of nonsense from Muluzi. I hope one day one of their kids dies in hospital in such circumstances and see what they will be saying. But it cant because they send their kids abroad for medical treatment . This story makes me sad and angry. Kids should not be dying in hospital because of power outage. No no no. This Muluzi is also useless. An apology could have been the best move. If one of these kids was mine, i could have been suing the government.
Atupele u should have a human heart wamva? what u r saying is not true if the management told u that they lied to u or to namarika
Atupele uzinena zoona,wakonso afa ngati ukunama.Bwanji kunama?
Can the politicians sort out the electricity problem and stop bickering? A bunch of heartless and shameless thieves!!!