Mzimba Perekezi legislator Fikani Ulunji Nyirenda (Alliance for Democracy) has handed over 10 mattresses to Hoho Health Centre in the district to address bed shortages at the facility.
The member of Parliament said he made the donation after noticing that the health centre did not have enough beds and mattresses, adding that he previously repaired 10 broken beds at the centre.
Said Nyirenda: “The situation was bad. Some patients were forced to sleep on mattresses placed directly on the floor.
“We want to improve conditions for patients at this facility as the mattresses will specifically be used in the maternity wing to support expectant mothers. I decided that these mattresses should go to the maternity section because that is where the need is most urgent.”
The legislator added that he plans to use funds from the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to construct additional structures at the health centre.
“We will use CDF money to add more structures here. My hope is that one day this health centre will be upgraded to include a fully-fledged maternity wing,” he said.
Group village head Kajiso Phakati hailed the gesture, saying the donation will help to create a more conducive environment for patients admitted to the facility.
A nurse at the facility Isobel Nyasulu described the support as timely, saying the health centre serves a population of about 12 000 people.
“On a weekly average we attend to 15 expectant mothers and we deliver about seven babies,” she said
