Japan donates theatre equipment to Likuni

Japanese Embassy has donated $40 000 (about K29 400 000) for the purchase of an autoclave machine and anaesthesia at Likuni Mission Hospital.

The donation follows a request that the hospital made to the embassy to help it increase its theatre capacity.

Speaking during the signing of an agreement which was attended by Minister of Health Atupele Muluzi yesterday, Japanese Ambassador Kae Yanagisawa said the donation will improve scheduling for patients’ surgical operations.

“The capacity of the installed autoclave at the hospital is limited compared to the number of surgical operations being carried out at an average of 230 per month. These challenges affect the surgical operation schedule and lead to patients not being attended to at an appropriate time,” she said.

According to Muluzi, this donation will help government move towards achievement of provision of health services to all Malawians.

He said: “As government, we are trying to reach out to people with universal health access and we are thankful to Japan for this donation to Likuni Mission Hospital because it will add on our efforts to achieve that.”

Likuni Mission Hospital board chairperson Wilfred Dodoli said the hospital serves a catchment area of 250 000 but often times people from outside the area also utilise the facility’s services.

He also said only one of the two surgical theatres has been operational and the donation will bring the remaining theatre to life.