Kasungu District Health Office has said it is owing service providers MK142 million, attributing the situation to among others high inflation rate recorded from last year.

Speaking to Zodiak, Kasungu District Director of Health and Sanitation Services, Emmanuel Golombe said hikes in some health equipments, drugs, fuel and construction projects have contributed to the debts.

"We were doing major renovations to improve infrastructure development of the hospital plus inflation on construction materials, food and fuel among others affected us" said Golombe.

However, Golombe said the debt incurred in the 2025-2026 financial year, highlights how the health sector is underfunded.

Currently, Kasungu DHO is receiving about 80 million kwacha funding from the central government monthly to support all health facilities in the district with prospects indicating that with inflation experienced, the office requires an allocation of about K200 million per month.

Comment on the development, Civil Society Network Chairperson in Kasungu Braxton Banda has described the situation as sad emphasizing it risks health service for the marginalized.

Banda has called for seriousness in settling the bills before implications start to hit and suffocate the health system in the district.

"People who suffer with these situations are the poor who are in majority. The rich have alternatives as they are privileged" he said 

Meanwhile, Kasungu District Council Health Service Committee Chairperson Christopher kantambo said the committee has taken note of the situation emphasizing the newly established 5 billion kwacha Constituency Development Fund - CDF will help to address some of the challenges displayed.

Zodiak has found out that before the recent fuel hike, the office was using about 14 million kwacha for fuel which has to be double now for effective health delivery.

(By Wilson Phiri)