JB’s donated ambulance raised sparks, idle at Katuli Health Centre
The ambulance which was donated by former President Joyce Banda to Katuli Health Centre in Mangochi district has raised sparks as some chiefs have asked government to intervene since the ambulance is just staying idle.
The ambulance was donated by Banda in April but despite the clinic facing challenges in ferrying patients to the district hospital the donated ambulance is gathering dust without being used.
A visit by Nyasa Times at the clinic can confirm that the ambulance was parked in a small and dilapidated garage as nobody seems to know why it is not used since it was donated.
One official at the clinic confided with Nyasa Times that they just saw the ambulance coming at the clinic and that when they asked the officials at Mangochi district hospital they were told that the vehicle was donated without proper procedures being followed.
“We do not know what to do with this ambulance because we were not given orders to use it. But this is a worrisome development because we really on an ambulance from the district hospital to come and pick patients especially expectant mothers all the way to the district hospital yet there is an ambulance gathering dust here,” said the official.
From Katuli health centre to Mangochi district its about 60 kilometers meaning if there is a critical patients requiring transport to go to the district hospital have to wait for an ambulance from Mangochi yet a donated one is just staying idle.
Traditional Authority Katuli said people from his community are angry and seeking answers from the district hospital to explain why the ambulance which was donated is gathering dust yet people are suffering.
Katuli said they will ask for government intervention on the matter because they feel somebody will benefit from the donated vehicle since nobody is interested to make a follow up.
Mangochi district health officer Arnold Ndalira said proper procedures were not followed when donating the ambulance and that Is why it is not used.
