Chief Appeals for Ntcheu Hospital Expansion
Senior Chief Kwataine of Ntcheu wants support from well wishers for the expansion of the maternity wing at Ntcheu district hospital as an approach to addressing congestion at the facility.
Kwataine told Zodiak Online that the facility, which was constructed in 1983, has serious lack of space in the maternity section.
However, as of Saturday, Ntcheu District Hospital was keeping 84 newly born babies delivered at the facility in a space of three days and this was against 53 beds available.
"The hospital is now overwhelmed as it operates as a referral facility for the district and neighboring Mozambique," Kwataine said.
He said the hospital is also facing problems of inadequate medical supplies.
The traditional leader sounded the alarm Saturday when Nation Publications Limited (NPL) donated medical supplies worthy over K59m to the hospital raised under this year's Mother's Fun Run initiative.
Acting Ntcheu District Health Officer, Dr. Sella Mpata, said due to inadequate space at the postnatal ward, women share beds while others are forced to sleep on the bare floor.
Dr. Mpata, however, hailed NPL for the supplies made available saying this would go a long way in improving provision of quality maternal healthcare in the district.
Meanwhile, Nation Publications Limited (NPL), Chief Executive Officer, Mbumba Banda has urged stakeholders to help in addressing safe motherhood needs.
Banda then revealed that Chitipa and Mulanje District will be the next beneficiaries for Mother's Fun Run initiative.
This year's event saw NPL raising 135 Million Kwacha out of the initial 300 Million Kwacha for Ntcheu and Likoma Districts.
This year's event saw NPL raising 135 Million Kwacha out of the initial 300 Million Kwacha for Ntcheu and Likoma Districts.
Published in: News In Brief
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