Mchinji Hospital rejects reports of forcing patients to pay money for services

Mchinji district hospital has refuted allegations that the hospital is forcing guardians and patients to contribute money to buy bulbs for lighting in the wards.

The refutal comes in wake of media reports that patients at the hospital are told to contribute money to buy bulbs, toilet papers and candles in wards.

Public Relations officer for Mchinji District Hospital, Frank Kaphaso told Malawi News Agency Tuesday in Mchinji that it is not true that the hospital has at any time told the guardians to contribute money.

“As a hospital, we have never told people to contribute money, but sometimes when some bulbs do not work, we address the problem even if it means getting money from our pockets as staff, but sometimes guardians use their candles during black outs when the hospital has run out of fuel for generator, waiting for funding,” he explained.

Kaphaso said the hospital buys enough bulbs and other items but the items get out of stock because they are consumables and the hospital waits for funding to buy.

A local radio last week reported that patients at the hospital are told to contribute money to buy bulbs and toiletries.

Random interviews with guardians in several wards at the hospital confirmed that guardians are not forced to contribute money by hospital staff.

Most of the guardians interviewed said they use their candles when there is power outage and when the generator at the hospital has no fuel.