Corruption hits Kamuzu Central Hospital: Staff demand money for services

Corruption has hit Kamuzu Central Hospital with members of staff demanding money in the ranges of K3,000 to K15000 for one to access services.

Nyasa Times undercover reporter discovered in the past two weeks that without “oiling money” are not assisted on time even though they can be very sick.

Those who give money to the staff are assisted within a day even though their booking might be three months away.

The reporter accompanied a sick person at Kamuzu Central Hospital thrice in the past two weeks and the staff rejected a K5000 brobe, demanding a K10000, saying there were several staffers connected.

After they were given the K10000, behind closed doors, the patient was assisted within minutes whilst other equally very sick people were turned back.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe confirmed the ministry has received many reports of staff at Kamuzu Central Hospital extorting money from patients.

“People should not pay when asked to, instead they should immediately report the matter to police or hospital administration,” he said.

He said services in public hospitals is free and paid services in referral hospitals is not mandatory.