No ambulance for 60 000 people in Nkhata Bay

Some public hospitals are finding it difficult to provide ambulance services due to lack of vehicles.

The development is said to be affecting people in remote areas who travel long distances to hospitals.

Ambulance services have been a problem in most parts of Nkhata Bay for years as the district health office struggles to maintain aging ambulances due to financial problems.

Nkhata Bay acting district health officer Zondiwe Banda said there are two reliable ambulances. The one stationed at Usisya, a hard to reach area, and cannot be used as back up, he added.

He said: “Over 60 000 people in the southern part of the district cannot access ambulance services following the breakdown of the ambulance at Chintheche Rural Hospital.

“The facility has seven health centres under it but also makes referrals to Nkhata Bay District Hospital.”

Reacting to the development, Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe said the ministry will investigate the Nkhata Bay situation, adding government distributed enough ambulances two months ago.