Newly constructed Nkhata Bay District Hospital will soon start producing medical gas for its patients.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Nkhata Bay district health officer (DHO) Albert Mkandawire said the gas plant installed at the hospital has the capacity to produce enough medical oxygen for the hospital and beyond.
“We have the capacity to supply gas to other public and private hospitals in the region,” said Mkandawire.
The gas plant produces nitrous oxide and medical oxygen. Nitrous oxide is used by doctors and dentists to prevent people from feeling pain during operation, according to the DHO.
Mkandawire further said his office is proposing that the nitrous oxide and medical oxygen should be produced at a fee so that they are able to maintain the gas plant.
“What we are saying is that there will be an option of charging for the gas to realise money for repairing the plant. We do not want a situation where the production of gas stops because of faults with the machine,” said the DHO.
The gas plant is connected and reports by internet to the parent company in South Africa, where the hospital has been accessing the medical gas, according to Mkandawire.
