Kyungu pours venom on Karonga Hospital over abuse of resources

Paramount Chief Kyungu, the most senior traditional leader in the districts of Karonga and Chitipa, has blamed the abysmal standards of services being offered at the Karonga District Hospital on abuse of hospital resources at the institution by staff.

Kyungu first unleashed the venom last Friday before Pres Peter Mutharika at Ngara in the district where he officially inaugurated the Ngara Community Technical College.

“Some medical personnel are abusing hospital resources by enriching themselves through stealing resources that are supposed to be helping our people,” he said. “Critically look into the matter and transfer or discipline those that are in the forefront of doing the malpractice.”

Kyungu also busted the uncouth behaviour of operational staff, misappropriation of resources and corrupt ordeals at the hospital.

“Because of that patients sleep on the floor without mosquito nets while others use old nets with gaping holes,” he said.

He also shocked thousands with the revelation that health officials at the hospital sold an ambulance to neighboring Tanzania when, in fact, the district has only two ambulances.

But the District Health Office (DHO) has refuted Kyungu’s claims, describing them as “misguided.”

Karonga District Health Officer Charles Sungani told Nyasa Times that “my office has not received such complaints from patients as well as the community hence the chief should have investigated the matter before reporting to the Ministry [and the President].”

He added: “As for the issue of the ambulance, the Ministry is aware that it was on auction and all required procedures were followed. It, therefore, does not matter who bought it.”