Hindu Social Group has delivered five aluminium outdoor benches worth K500 000 to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre for use by patients and guardians.
The group plans to buy more outdoor benches next year to ensure that patients and guardians have places to relax within the hospital’s premises.
Hindu Social Group member Jayendra Kher outlined the group’s plans on Sunday after handing over the benches to the hospital’s maternity wing.
He said: “We have seen a lot of people sitting on the ground under trees while waiting for treatment at the hospital.
“We want this yard to look like a park where patients, guardians and visitors can chat while sitting on outdoor benches.”
OECH senior nursing officer Sakina Ilepere said they are happy that expectant women will not be sitting on the floor while waiting for assessment.
She asked for more support such as soap, diapers and wrappers from well-wishers to ease the plight of patients.
One of the expectant women at the hospital, Maria Gadabu, said in an interview that the outdoor benches will provide comfort to them as they are waiting for treatment at the hospital.
“This hospital receives a lot of patients in a day and it is a struggle to find space on the available benches,” she said.
QECH maternity wing comprises labour, ante-natal, post-natal and nursery wards.
The benches were bought with support from Hitesh Patel, managing director of Medisurge Limited, surgical equipment and hospital furniture supplier.
