A woman was assigned to be drawing water from some borehole at a fee, but has also withdrawn her services, saying the health facility is not paying her for almost four months now.

An inside source at the facility says management has not responded positively to their plea for assistance, and had no option but to suspend maternity services since last week.

"We are sending all women seeking maternity services to Mwanza district hospital, as it is proving difficult for us to work appropriately in absence of water," confided the source.

Dr. Misha Stande, director for health and social services for Mwanza has told Zodiak Online that the facility is working normally.

Senior chief Govati of the area confirms that a pump was stolen at the facility in 2019, but authorities are not coming forth to respond positively.

Govati said:- "We have engaged all relevant authorities but to no avail. This system supplies water to the whole facility as well as staff houses and this delay has affected operations and sanitation greatly."

But Joyce Chitsulo, parliamentarian for the area- Mwanza west, says people are not taking ownership of important things like these pumps, as a result they are suffering from their own making.

"This is the second time they have stolen a pump at this facility. They have also stolen such a pump twice at Thambani secondary school and another one at Kalanga health post. My plan is to drill a borehole now than replacing the pump, which I am not sure if they will spare it," said Chitsulo sounding angry.

The closed Thambani maternity wing reportedly assists a maximum of about 20 child deliveries a week.