Outsourcing benefitting KCH patients—Alide
Kamuzu Central Hospital director Dr Noordine Alide says the decision by the hospital to outsource some services such as catering, landscaping and security has helped the institution to concentrate on areas that benefit patients.
Speaking in an interview soon after receiving a consignment of medical equipment worth over K1 million (about $2 500) from Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) on Monday, Alide said outsourcing services has many advantages.
“We are strengthening systems and bringing in radical changes at the hospital. So far, we are outsourcing services such as landscaping, catering, security and we are about to enter into a Public Private Partnership with a private supplier to run the hospital’s pharmacy,” he said.
Alide also said the grounds of the hospital are now beautiful, security has improved significantly and the quality of food is also impressive.
He disclosed that they have also introduced an electronic pharmacy inventory system as one way of ensuring that drugs are safeguarded.
On the donation from Mera, Alide said it came at the right time because most of the doctors who left the country have returned home and are now working at the hospital.
“It is disheartening for a doctor to work in an environment where the medical equipment is not up to date. We have many problems to do with equipment and drugs and our fear is that these doctors might start thinking of leaving the country again,” he said.
Mera board chair Lyton Zinyemba said they made the donation in response to a request from the hospital’s management.
“We realised that in your day-to-day operations, you require basic necessities like carnulars, disposable aprons, surgical blades and gauze rolls. We have, therefore, also included them on the list of items to be donated,” he said.
Apart from the basic necessities, Mera also donated an oxygen concentrator to be used in the children’s ward.
“It is our belief that the donation will go a long way in assisting the hospital in its day-to-day operations and that it will be used for the intended purpose,” said Zinyemba.
