Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) is operating without an x-ray machine, effectively forcing authorities to turn back scores of patients in need of screening services, Weekend Nation has learnt.
KCH chief hospital administrator, Dr. Jonathan Ngoma, confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying it is now three weeks since the machine broke down.
Ngoma also confirmed that the development has compounded the situation at Bwaila Hospital where patients turned back at KCH are being referred to.
“We’ve already reported the matter to our relevant authorities at the ministry. But it may take time for maintenance work to resume because repairing services aren’t immediately available as the ministry procures the services from South Africa,” he explained.
In the week, National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (Nonm) president, Dorothy Ngoma, said she trailed a fully-packed ambulance from KCH to Bwaila Hospital to appreciate the situation at the latter facility.
Ngoma: “I am talking to you right within the corridors of Bwaila. The situation is very horrible and stinking to the bone. You can imagine scores of patients lying unattended to because the hospital is overwhelmed with referrals. It’s as if we’re in a warzone.”
She asked authorities at the Capital Hill to urgently repair the machine to avoid risking lives of poor citizens.
