Mbenje, Makhanga health centres suspend operations
Cyclone Freddy has caused floods at Mbenje and Makhanga health centres in Nsanje District effectively halting their operations.
Nsanje District Hospital spokesperson George Mbotwa could not be reached for his comment, but in an earlier interview he confirmed that floods pose challenges to delivery of health services in the district.
“Of late, floods have been causing challenges at some health centres, causing the district health office to temporarily suspend their operations,” he said.
In such situations, Mbenje Health Centre medical assistant Mphatso Kasoso said patients are referred to Nsanje District Hospital.
“Every year, we close the facility for a month or more due to floods and we refer our patients to the district hospital,” he said.
Mbenje Health Centre management committee member Holman Malunga urged government to find solution to the problem.
“Some rivers here have changed their courses. We, therefore, need to drench their beds and divert their courses to prevent the floods.
“That aside, we need to build concrete dykes and close some gates around the facilities and open new ones,” he said at a meeting organised by Kaudzu and Kanyama Reflection Action Circles under the Partnership for Social Accountability (PSA) Project.
Our sources at Makhanga Health Centre also said the facility closes every year due to floods.
Health activists have, however, raised concern that government should find a lasting solution to the problem so that health service delivery is not compromised.
