Association to fundraise for Gogo Chatinkha Unit
The Chatinkha Maternal Care Support (Chamaca) has organised a fundraising dinner and dance to mobilise resources to address challenges that compromise service delivery at the Gogo Chatinkha Maternity Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre.
Chamaca is an association of medical and non-medical personnel in Blantyre in support of the Unit. The event, expected to raise K100million ($144 300), is scheduled for June 24 at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.
In a statement today, Chamaca president, who is also head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at QECH, Dr Frank Taulo, said the Unit lacks beds to accommodate the ever increasing number of expectant women.
He said the Unit is also hit by drug shortage and frequent break-down of the sterilizing equipment due to excessive use.
“Bed occupancy is often in the region of 200 percent, requiring some women to sleep on the floor. Mothers have to be moved from their delivery beds almost immediately after giving birth and are discharged from the hospital within 24 hours because of this high turnover,” said Taulo in the statement.
According to Taulo, funds to be raised during the event will be used to buy assorted equipment like Autoclave machines, Oxygen concentrators, Theatre operating chairs, MVA beds, wheel chairs and mattresses.
Last year, the association conducted a fun run fundraising event and received some donations including oxygen concentrators from Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) and also managed to purchase an incubator and vitals monitors.
The unit comprises antenatal, gynaecology and labour wards, as well as an operating theatre.
Opened in 1980, Chatinkha Maternity Unit conducts 15 thousand deliveries a year with an average of 35 percent caesarean section rate and about five thousand gynaecological admissions.
The Unit also functions as a national referral unit, handling complicated obstetric referrals and emergencies from the southern part of Malawi.
