Traditional leaders have demanded a swift end to ‘alarming deaths’ of newborns and pregnant women at Rumphi District Hospital.
This follows deaths of four pregnant women and four babies in four weeks at Rumphi District Hospital.
The traditional leaders have since petitioned Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe to lead in the fight for improved health services.
of Rumphi District Hospital
In an interview on Tuesday, group village head Jeyeka Mbale said it is painful to lose eight lives at this rate.
He blamed experienced health workers for leaving delicate jobs in the hands of students, accusing them of prioritising their relatives and friends.
“The hospital is a place where people in pain expect to get relief. We are worried that we are losing lives at an alarming rate because of poor health services. We have problems at the hospital and there is need for change,” said Mbale.
Chikulamayembe promised to engage the district commissioner (DC) and relevant officials at the Ministry of Health.
“We are planning to meet officials next week. A lot of things are happening at the hospital, including nepotism which needs to be addressed,” he said.
Rumphi district health officer (DHO) Stephen Macheso pledged to investigate the allegation.
He said only three women have died since January.
He explained that the hospital has qualified nurses who help guide nursing students. n
