Ministry addresses emergency care

Ministry of Health acting deputy director responsible for physical assets management Harold Chimphepo says the country is not doing well in emergency and critical care strategy.

He said this on Wednesday in Blantyre during a meeting with stakeholders to discuss how the strategy can enhance the delivery of healthcare services.

Chimphepo said the ministry launched two documents on the emergency and critical care strategy and the oxygen roadmap.

He said: “These documents will guide the ministry on how to manage emergency care in the country since they contain aspects pertaining to patient care, staffing and skills needed to manage critically ill patients.

“As a country, we are not doing well in terms of emergency and critical care and the supply of oxygen for the emergency and critical care. There are only few hospitals that have infrastructure where emergency care can be provided.”

Chimphepo said in terms of oxygen, the country is similarly disorganised.

“A good example is when Covid-19 cases were at their peak, we had difficulties to supply oxygen. That is why we launched the two documents,” he said.

Chimphepo added that the ministry has started implementing the strategies putting up more oxygen gas plants to ensure its availability in hospitals across the country.

Partners in Health director of strategic partnership and grant acquisition Yesani Kapanda said they decided to partner with the ministry in implementing the strategies after realising challenges the country faced with Covid-19 pandemic.

“When Covid-19 cases were high in the country, we were not ready to manage the situation.

“So, when we learnt that the ministry was developing these materials, we were interested because as partners in health, we strengthen the health system.”