National News

Mwanza quadruplets mum is depressed

The Mwanza woman, who delivered quadruplets nine days ago, is said to be severely depressed and seems less interested to make a public appearance or meet visitors.

Mwanza District Hospital spokesperson Taonga Mafuleka attributed Estelle Charles’s behaviour to post-natal depression and possible worry over the illness of one of her babies who was diagnosed with pneumonia last Friday.

The mother’s depression was evident on Monday when Seed-Co Malawi visited her to present assorted items valued at K350 000 (about $1 400).

The visitors, who included Seed-Co sales and distribution manager Gregory Madeya, extension services and events coordinator Waddington Lipenga, Mwanza district commissioner (DC) Smart Gwedemula, journalists and the police, arrived in the nursery ward of Mwanza District Hospital to a cold reception from Charles who seemed more agitated than excited.

She stared at the floor as she fidgeted with her fingers, throwing occasional glances in the direction where her mother sat as the DC pleaded for her patience and tolerance “because more people will be coming in to assist and visit her”.

On her part, Charles said she felt weak. She claimed to have “gone insane” since the birth of her babies. She almost refused to leave the ward to accept the gifts until much persuasion.

Presenting the items that included 10 bags of maize, one bag each of beans and soya, a bicycle, cartons of wash soap, 24 nappies, assorted baby clothes and accessories, Madeya said his company was touched by the family’s predicament after media reports on their unemployment and request for public sympathy.

Mafuleka said he was grateful to all the positive response following the hospital’s appeal, but said that what the family now needed was empowerment to sustain it even after the mother and the babies are discharged.

He said the hospital has opened a bank account following various monetary donations of over K150 000 (about $600).

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) interim president Professor Peter Mutharika also gave the family K70 000 (about $280) cash, groceries, blankets and wrappers (zitenje), according to his personal assistant Ben Phiri.

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