Ntcheu MPs bail out district hospital

Ntcheu district hospital can now afford a smile after Members of Parliament in the district donated assorted items worth K2 million as food budgets fall.

Malawi government is scalling down on patient meals, as figures reveal meals in public hospitals have been reduced from three a day to one a day as a measure to make these hospitals functioning.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the food items on Sunday, 25 October, 2015, at the hospital’s premises, Deputy Minister of Defence, Malisoni Ndau said government is working tirelessly in making sure that all hospital’s across the nation gets full funding.

The Minister who is also the MP for Ntcheu Central appealed to business community to assist the facility as government alone cannot afford to do everything.

“We have done our part as MP’s and let me call upon business people, the clergy and well-wishers to assist the hospital,” said the Deputy Minister.

He further said he was happy with the conduct of the MP’s in Ntcheu for coming together and assist the hospital with various food stuffs as people who are on drugs are supposed to eat. The Deputy Minister asked the hospital officials to take good care of the donated items.

Speaking to Nyasa Times after receiving the donation, District Health Officer for Ntcheu Dr. Gift Kwamdera commended the MP’s for the timely donation.

Kwamdera said the hospital is facing a number of challenges ranging from shortage of food, fuel for ambulances, high bills of water and electricity just to mention some. He said the hospital is humbled by receiving the assorted items from the Members of Parliament.

“The majority of patients at this hospital are those referred from rural health facilities and largely impoverished and the hospital food budgets are being cut across the nation,” said Kwamdera.

Inkosi Gomani IV who was present at the function thanked the MP’s for showing love, unity and Godliness.

“These are the pillars the Maseko Ngoni must follow. Where there is love, poverty is shielded,” he said.

Some of the assorted items were 110 bags of maize, 20 bags of maize flour, 10 bags of beans, cabbage, tomatoes, and bales of sugar among others.

Ntcheu district has 7 Members of Parliament who include Mwayi Kamuyambeni, Assani Lipande, Everton Chimulilenji, Dr. Francis Mkungula, Godwin Kanjere, Damison Chimalira and Malisoni Ndau.

Some quarters have blamed Treasury for failing to support the health budget.