MALAWI HOSPITAL REFUSES TO ADMIT TB PATIENTS DUE TO LACK OF FOOD

Bwaila hospital, Lilongwe

Owen Khamula - Nyasa Times
Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe is refusing to admit patients suffering from TB because the hospital stopped providing food to patients for over a month now.

A source at the hospital said even serious TB cases are not admitted to the hospital because the hospital owes a caterer, whom the administration had engaged to provide food to patients, withdrew the services over K190 million debt.
Nyasa Times visited the hospital on Sunday and saw the remaining TB patients cooking for themselves using personal electric appliances or firewood.
The hospital provided the patients with a room where they keep the electric appliances, firewood and food.
District Health Officer Alinafe Mbewe said it would take time before the hospital starts providing food to patients as the hospital has to clear the debt.
In addition, she said, the electric pots are in bad state and needs over haul and maintenance.
Some staff members are blaming the former District Health Officer for the Mwai Mwale for the huge debt, saying he deliberately watched as the debt increased and he is also accused of abuse of funds.
He has since been transferred to Ntchisi District Hospital.
SOURCE: NYASATIMES