Don’t misuse hospital donations—NGO

African Missions for Christ has donated assorted medical supplies to St. Luke’s Hospital in Zomba District with a call for healthcare workers to take care of the donation.

The donation follows a needs assessment the organisation conducted in hospitals from Machinga and Zomba districts three months ago which found that health authorities divert such donations from the facilities.

Speaking on Tuesday after the donation, AMFC president evangelist Oluwafeyihanwa Thereza McElroy said she noted with concern that some health authorities divert the medical equipment from the intended recipients.

He said: “We have been donating medical equipment to different hospitals in the country, but when we come back we don’t see the equipment and nobody gives you an account for their missing items.

“However, for St. Luke’s Hospital, that is not the case. This is why we are donating to the facility for the second time because its authorities are accountable and know that integrity matters.”

St. Luke’s Hospital accountant Felix Chibwana commended the organisation for the timely donation, saying they spend about K26 million monthly to procure drugs and personal protective equipment.

He, however, bemoaned that government and private institutions delay to settle the bills they owe the hospital through various medical schemes and service level agreements, which is affecting their operations.

It is on record that government owes Christian Health Association of Malawi hospital billions of kwacha.

The consignment included masks, examination groves, personal protective equipment, surgical gowns and medical drugs, among others.