By Burnett Munthali
Vice President Dr.Jane Mayemu Ansah has donated K1 million to Mlambe Hospital after visiting a 37-year-old patient receiving treatment at the facility on Friday, while hospital officials appealed for more medical equipment and specialised beds to cope with rising demand for healthcare services.
Dr.Ansah arrived at Mlambe Hospital at about 5:05 p.m. and was welcomed by hospital management and staff before visiting the female ward.
Her visit focused on Mphamvu Kalima of Nthukuso Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Malemia in Nsanje District, who was admitted on Thursday after complaining of a severe headache.
Hospital staff said she was subsequently found to have an infection and was receiving a blood transfusion, adding that she had responded to treatment.
Principal Nursing and Midwifery Officer Anna Balley briefed the Vice President on the condition of Kalima and other patients in the female ward. She said the ward had 11 patients and that Kalima was admitted at around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Balley said the patient had responded to treatment and was receiving a blood transfusion after an infection was identified.
Balley also highlighted challenges facing the hospital, including a shortage of specialised beds and some medical equipment. She attributed the difficulties partly to financial constraints and the large number of people relying on the facility for healthcare services.
Hospital administrator Sister Florence Manja said Mlambe Hospital serves communities in the surrounding areas, including some patients from Mozambique.
She said poverty remains a challenge for some patients who struggle to access prescribed medicines and other forms of treatment, adding that the hospital remains committed to reaching out to those in need.
Responding to the concerns, Dr Ansah donated K1 million to the hospital as immediate support.
She said the government places importance on the right to health and that human rights should be enjoyed by everyone.
The Vice President later visited Kalima at her bedside, presented her with flowers and food items and wished her a quick recovery.
She also prayed for patients in the female ward, stressing the importance of faith and prayer in difficult circumstances.
“Everything bows down in the presence of God,” Dr.Ansah said during the prayer.
Kalima’s elder sister, Anna Kalima, thanked the Vice President for the support and described her sister as a hardworking person.
“May God bless you, Madam Vice President. We are able to help with the little that we have,” she said.
Dr.Ansah also signed the hospital’s visitors’ book before food items were distributed to all patients in the female ward.
