Hospital clarifies on fake funeral for Covid-19 patient

St. John of God Hospital has sprung to the defence of Health minister Jappie Mhango who is facing stinging attacks in social media platforms over allegations that he faked death of a covid-coronavirus (Covid-19) patient in Mzimba.

Some people have been posting in social media platforms people at a graveyard in Ekwendeni in Mzimba for a funeral ceremony with a coffin without a body in it.

They alleged that the people were chased away from the graveyard after it was established that Mhango faked the death so as to justify the government decision to postpone the forthcoming election and that government officials continue to benefit from the coronavirus fund money.

However, chief executive officer for Saint John of God Hospital Charles Masulani Mwale said the staff of the hospital were recording  a health education movie and sought permission from the village headman responsible and that they were not chased.

“While management condemns the behavior of staff on the choice of setting of the video in Ekwendeni, we would like to categorically state that there was no political influence, nor involvement of any politician in this matter,” says Mwale in the letter.

He describes it as a mere fabrication of false news through what he called irresponsible use of social media.

There was no immediate comment from Mhango and the ministry of Health on the matter.