Mixed reactions on Mponela beds scandal

Unfortunate

It is just unfortunate that the current People’s Party (PP) regime, which was regarded to be strong, is no more than a rehearsal government. Khumbo Kachali needs to be awakened. The current efforts are just those that promote regionalism as Mponela patients equally need the beds just as those of Mzimba do. I, therefore, caution the PP government through its leadership to wake up from their slumber and act responsibly.  AC/ Via e-mail

Clean up day

I have read comments regarding the transfer of beds from Mponela to Mzimba. I would like to ask the Ministry of Health to institute a clean-up day to repair broken beds. Go to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) mortuary, you will understand what I am talking about.

Once these beds have been repaired, send them to hospitals which lack beds. You can go to any government hospital and you will believe what I am talking about. Let us end the blame game. Even those of us who are blaming Vice-President  Khumbo Kachali would have done the same.

You will recall the late president Bingu wa Mutharika challenged Malawians that whether we like it or nor not, a university of science and technology will be built in Thyolo. Can’t  government set up an account where  all  Malawians of goodwill  contribute  some money for the purpose of  buying  equipment  which is missing  in hospitals. When those funds are collected, we can start with Nsanje and finish with Karonga.

 Joyce Banda should think of putting a medical doctor as Minister of Health.

 MN/Via e-mail

 

Wrong timing

I agree with those that feel the timing of the transfer of beds was wrong; campaign time. But if indeed there were surplus beds as we read, then they should be deployed to needy health facilities if they are government assets.

Others have indeed wondered why so many beds were sent to Mponela Rural Hospital to the point of surpluses when other facilities in the country were equally wanting? Is it a mere coincidence that Honourable Jean Kalirani was also Minister of Health? There maybe more such stories if investigations are done.

The Parliamentary Women Caucus have done a good job in terms of checks and balances on the issue, but why were they quiet when a university that was meant to be constructed in Lilongwe was shifted to Thyolo by the DPP regime?

We have read of funds for projects in the North also being diverted to other places as was the case with Karonga-Chitipa Road funds during the UDF regime. The money was used for a road in Machinga.

 Some have also talked about funds meant for Mzuzu Airport in the MCP era that were also diverted. Of course, two wrongs do not make a right, but our democracy and politicians need to come of age and act rationally.

AKB/Via e-mail

 

Normal process

This [transferring of materials] happens in many ministries, companies and other places. The Women Caucus politicised this issue as it was an administrative matter which only required booking meetings peacefully than causing meaningless havoc at a hospital. If the women are indeed caring; why not purchase the beds and replace them at Mponela than making unreasonable demands?

Malawi has very important issues to tackle such as the rising cost of living due to the kwacha devaluation and poor salaries for the masses than politicking for nothing.

If Malawians condone this kind of solving matters, then we are heading for a disaster. Let authorities do their jobs peacefully and in a professional manner and legislators should be at Parliament making laws. Shame on you Women Caucus.

CM/ Via e-mail

 

I do not have problems in redeploying beds from one health facility to another within Malawi, but I think the timing was wrong.

Via SMS

 

Vacate office

That was worse than those Midnight Six [during the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika]. The Health minister must vacate office.

CG/via e-mail

 

Zimachitika zimenezi, even ma reagent, ngakhale machine, ma bedi ndi chaninso? That is too small an issue.

 Via SMS

 

It is a normal exercise and there is nothing wrong transferring the beds.

 Via SMS

 

This is uncalled for. Why not buy beds for Mzimba? Those beds should be returned immediately.

Via SMS

 

Beds were meant for Mponela. If it is about politics then slow down for Malawians are tired of politics.

Via SMS

 

The beds removed from Mponela must be taken back. If it is the Ministry of Health policy, why did they collect the beds at night. All things done at night are devilish.

Via SMS

 

This is what we call politics. Do they want to tell us that government does not have money to buy new beds for Mzimba? Kachali is juvenile in politics.

Via SMS

 

 I do not see any problem. The beds still belong to the Ministry of Health.

 Via SMS