Pregnant woman dies due to lack of fuel for ambulance: Malawi woes

A 24 year old woman has died at Mponela Rural Hospital due to a ruptured uterus after authorities failed to refer her to Dowa district hospital because of lack of fuel.

A private radio station Zodiak said on Sunday, Mponela health centre had informed officials at Dowa District Hospital but they could not send an ambulance due to lack of fuel.

District Health officer for Dowa Beatrice Chikaphonya said she had heard of the reports but could not say much on the issue.

She however said the government has just funded the hospital and fuel for ambulances would be bought.

The death comes barely a day after five catholic bishops returned a ‘gift’ of K50000 for each bishop from President Peter Mutharika after the bishops told Mutharika to direct such money to a public hospital in dire need of money.

Hospital officials say the woman would have not lost her life if she underwent the scheduled operation.