While the country is grappling with drug pilferage in public hospitals, medical equipment and supplies are being left exposed to theft and harsh weather conditions in Phalombe, courtesy of shortage of space at the district health office (DHO), according to officials.
A visit to the district last week revealed that the DHO, which is housed in a rented building originally meant to be a shop, has run out of space. The district does not have a district hospital and health offices.
Phalombe district health officer Tisungane Mwenyenkulu acknowledged the problem in an interview when asked why oxygen cylinders and other delicate medical equipment are lying outside the building.
He said: “The situation emanates from the fact that we do not ha-
Phalombe district commissioner (DC) Paul Kalilombe, who oversees all government operations at the district level, admitted the seriousness of the problem, calling for a quick solution to avert a crisis.
Principal secretary for the Ministry of Health, Chimwemwe Banda, who visited Phalombe last week, said government would rectify the situation by completing the new health facilities.
