The service is crucial to young girls and mothers in their maternal health.

An insider at the facility who sought anonymity has told Zodiak Online on Wednesday that the department is unable to carry out the service as they depend on Escom power to sterilize some equipment and supplies.

"We have to boil some of these materials and instruments we use using electric machines and we are no longer doing it since that day the transformer was vandalized," said the source.

The source further says that water is also a challenge since they depend on an Escom powered water pump, this according to the source has affected hygiene at the facility.

The facility's in-charge Ganizani Matola says that they have indeed suspended cervical cancer screening and transferred all vaccines to Lisungwi Community Hospital for safe keeping.

He added that as a temporary measure, they are using solar power to sustain some services.

He said that" at first we did not know that it was a theft that triggered the power outage, we thought it was a normal load shedding until some community members told us that the machine has been vandalised".

But the Neno District Health office publicist Caroline Banda told us a different version. She said " Currently all main services are being provided. We have solar powered refrigerators for vaccine storage and OPD services are all in place".

On 14 of January 2024, Escom announced of the theft in its secular where it also advised the general public to be vigilant in looking after its equipment to ensure a steady supply of electricity.