Bishop Musikuwa Asks Government, Donors to Address Drug Shortages
The Bishop also cheered the sick
- pic by Christopher Sande
The Catholic Bishop in Chikwawa diocese has asked government and donors to address challenges of lack of drugs and essential medical equipment in public health facilities in order to improve health service delivery.
Speaking in Nsanje during a commemoration of the sick, Bishop Peter Musikuwa said welfare of health workers during work also needs to be prioritized.
"There is need to see to it that drugs are available in all public facilities. It is our humble request to authorities to assist," said Bishop Musikuwa.
The Bishop also took time to ask Christians’ care and support the sick saying such people have to be shown love.
The remarks from the Bishop come when Nsanje District hospital is struggling to pay a 100 million kwacha debt which prompted other suppliers to impound various medical equipment there.
Health officials there and Chairperson of the Council Andrew Piriminta have admitted that the facility is lacking some other essential drugs, inadequate food to feed patients, fuel for the stand by generator and that the hospital is owing various suppliers money worth 100 million kwacha.
Chairperson Piriminta said this made some suppliers to invade the hospital and impounded some medical equipment to force authorities to pay the money.
The commemoration of the sick was organized by the Catholic Health Commission in Malawi Chikwawa diocese at Nsanje district hospital.
The Bishop also took time to cheer the patients.
