Opening of Phalombe Hospital in Limbo

Chikumbe says government is doing everything possible to have the facility operational Chikumbe says government is doing everything possible to have the facility operational - file photo

 

Official opening of the long awaited Phalombe district hospital hangs in the balance as government says it yet to procure non-medical equipment for the district’s referral facility.

Initially, government said it will open the hospital in April 2022.

Spokesperson for the ministry of health, Adrian Chikumbe, has confirmed the development to Zodiak Online Wednesday, saying once the non-medical equipment is procured, they will open the facility without specifying the actual opening date.

Chikumbe says government is doing everything possible to have the facility operational.

“Government is committed to ensure Phalombe district hospital is operational but we need to procure the non-medical equipment which is critical for the provision of quality medical care,” said Chikumbe.

Meanwhile, Traditional Authority (TA) Kaledzera of the district has described the development as worrisome arguing that people in the district are struggling.

Kaledzera says people are walking long distances to access quality health services in Zomba and Mulanje, calling on authorities to address challenges rocking official opening of the hospital.

“We are asking government to open the facility because we have been waiting and struggling for decades now,” lamented Kaledzera.

Executive director for the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), George Jobe, has urged government to ensure the hospital is operational so that it should serve people who are enduring long distances in pursuit of help.

For the fourth time now, government has failed to open the district hospital.

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