NPL CEO spends night with mothers at Ndirande Health Centre

It was at around 6:30pm on Saturday when Nation Publications Limited (NPL) chief executive officer (CEO) Mbumba Banda walked into the maternity wing of Ndirande Health Centre in Blantyre looking eager and excited to take up the sleepover challenge.

Being the first of its kind in the NPL Mothers Fun Run, Banda decided to take up the challenge herself to inspire more women to join the initiative to raise more funds for the promotion of safe motherhood at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and 23 health centres in the district.

Welcomed by Blantyre district health officer (DHO) Medson Matchaya, Banda could not wait for an interactive chart with mothers in the wing.

“My intention is not to sleep, but to observe so that where there are shortfalls then we can see what we can do to help as far as those shortfalls are concerned. If the mothers need help I will be there for them. My aim is to work until morning while observing and then using that information to raise funds,” she highlighted.

Looking at the dilapidated structure that is being used for bringing into the word the gift of life, Banda got so eager to learn how pregnant mothers and health workers manage the situation. She went straight to the postnatal ward where she had a chat with mothers who just gave birth, they were happy to have her.

Listening to their stories, Banda looked forward to a great night, however, a sight of stagnant water in the ward’s sink due to a faulty plumbing system did not amuse her, she feared it could be a breeding ground for mosquitos and other germs which may lead to infections in newly born babies and their mothers. The women told her it had been blocked for days.

Banda was also informed that there was no working toilet inside the wing, it had been blocked for months and the mothers have to go all the way to the outpatient department (OPD) section to relieve themselves.

38-year old Gertrude Ndalama who gave birth on Saturday afternoon told Banda the nurses at the facility were so good to her and her fellow women despite challenges they (nurses) face a thing which Banda commended saying it is indeed not easy to deliver satisfactory services in the environment they work in.

There were eight mothers and eight babies in the postnatal ward while two other women were waiting in the antenatal ward for their time to deliver; the labour ward was empty by then, but the staff there did not rule out the possibility of receiving other women as the night was still young.

In the labour ward, Matchaya told Banda of the various challenges there, the major ones being lack of space, a generator, resuscitator machine, an addition oxygen concentrator, incubator, delivery packs, curtains, beddings and consumables such as soap.

Whenever there is an electricity blackout, women deliver using light from candles and in case of a child being born prematurely, they depend on the kangaroo method for keeping babies warm.

Matchaya expressed need for a rework of the sewer system at the facility. He also bemoaned lack of security at the place which he said has led to some equipment being stolen or vandalized.

“The space in the labour ward is too small and we wish to expand it but funds are not permitting. As you can see this whole wing is in a dilapidated state and needs complete renovation,” explained Matchaya.

According to Matchaya, in order to relieve pressure from QECH his office is working on opening a theater at the health centre so that minor operations could be done right there.

“But we have only managed to source 60 percent of the equipment needed in the theatre for it to be fully functional, we appeal for more support,” he added.

Sharing her experience Banda hinted that unless the issue of population against the size of health centres is looked at critically and holistically, the challenges are likely to continue.

She said: “What is unfortunate is that hospitals that were meant to carter for smaller numbers of people are having to carter for huge numbers of people and that in itself brings up the challenge.

“There is no enough space and manpower to handle the people, the facilities are being overused and due to pressure most equipment do not last.”

Banda applauded staff at the centre for the commendable job they are doing despite such challenges spelt out.

“It is always heartwarming to see staff who are working positively amidst all the challenges that are there and going around speaking to patients, they indicate that they are being well taken care of. So, to me, I am always thankful to see that despite challenges, people come to work every day, try to do what they can to help the patients, I think that is a good thing and the rest of us need to build on that,” she commended.

The NPL CEO has already raised K450 000 from individuals and she says she is not yet targeting institutions.  She hopes to hit a million by October 7.

“When people get to know that there are these challenges, they can help. It is sad that we take it for granted and forget about this side of life,” she said.

Since 2005, NPL under the leadership of Mbumba Banda has been conducting the Mothers’ Day Fun Run project as a social responsibility to enable organisations and individuals contribute directly towards improved maternal health.

Last year, the initiative raised an impressive K77, 039,400 which was used to purchase medical equipment for Mzimba District Hospital and its peripherals and this year the initiative targets to raise K150 million.