China gives Kamuzu Central K37m medical equipment

China, through the Chinese Medical Team to Malawi, yesterday donated medical equipment worth K37 million to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe.

The equipment includes electrocardiographs, all-purpose operating tables, infant incubators, neonatal jaundice treatment tanks, disposable gaenacology sets and treatment carts.

Speaking after the handover, Chinese Medical Team spinal surgeon Jhinwen Zhu said the team makes annual donations to KCH and this was the donation they mobilised for this year.

“This is not the only donation we are making in the country. We have also made a similar donation worth K23.8 million to Mzuzu Central Hospital. The purpose is to help the hospitals cope with the ever rising demand for medical services,” he said.

KCH director Jonathan Ngoma said there is high demand for various services as it serves as a referral hospital for the Central Region.

He said the hospital was built in 1977 and most of its equipment is old.

“The demand for our services outweighs our ability to provide the same. Therefore, the equipment that we have received will ease that burden because some of it can be shared by the departments,” said Ngoma.

He also said the team is championing the introduction of a new acupuncture which has just been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a viable means of treatment.

KCH is the main referral hospital for the Central Region, whose population accounts for the country’s 43 percent.

This is the tenth Chinese Medical Team to visit Malawi since 2008.