WHO bails out Balaka District Hospital From Fire Aftermath
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped in to ensure that a kitchen and information technology services are operational at Balaka district hospital, following a fire that gutted down the facility in July last year.
After handing over three industrial cooking pots worth 17.1 million kwacha to Balaka district hospital on Tuesday, WHO Country Nonhlanhla Dlamini said the kitchen is one of the essential health areas and felt obliged to help.
“Being an emergency, it came to our interest to ensure that there is continuity of essential health services at all levels.
"We will coordinate with other development agents to continue helping Malawi government wherever possible,” stressed Dlamini.
Deputy Minister of Health Chrissy Kalamula Kanyasho commended World Health Organization (WHO) for unceasing support towards the health sector.
Kalamula Kanyasho told Zodiak Online that:- “It is a year since Balaka District Hospital kitchen got burnt, and today we are here to witness the commissioning of three electric pots donated by the WHO.
"I am so excited and thank WHO for the various support that they give us in the Ministry of Health.” Said Kanyasho.
She further said WHO apart from supporting Balaka district hospital with IT equipment worth about 12million Kwacha, has also hired an international doctor who is providing training and mentorship in the management of covid-19 patients.
Expressing his gratitude, Director of Health and social services for Balaka District Hospital, Dr Eugine Katenga Kaunda said that the donation is timely and will help them to overcome challenges that they were facing.
“Through this donation we will be able to cook enough and fresh foods for our patients, while the IT equipment is helping us to easily keep data.” Expressed Katenga kaunda.
Fire gutted down Balaka District Hospital on the dawn of 31st July 2021, mostly affecting the kitchen, laundry, IT office and storeroom, but no life was lost.