Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH) director general John Chipolombwe has called for the completion of a psychiatric unit at the hospital, citing an overwhelming number of mental health patients.
He made the appeal on Tuesday when Old Mutual Malawi Limited donated K20 million to the hospital as part of the company’s 70th anniversary of its operations in the country.
Chipolombwe highlighted the dire situation at the hospital where psychiatric patients are housed alongside general patients, leading to disturbing situations in the wards.
He said: “We have patients with malaria, pneumonia, or meningitis sharing wards with those suffering from psychiatric conditions. It is really chaotic.”
MCH relies on St. John of God Mental Hospital for acute psychiatric cases, but its limited capacity often forces at the hospital to transfer patients to Zomba Mental Hospital.
“We receive psychiatric patients daily, just like malaria cases. Both our male and female wards admit around eight to 10 patients each day.
“And every week, we make three or four trips to Zomba Mental Hospital, costing us about K3.9 million in fuel expenses alone per month,” Chipolombwe explained.
To address the crisis, the hospital plans to complete the construction of a dedicated psychiatric unit, a project estimated at K750 million.
Speaking during the donation, Old Mutual Blantyre Foundation Trust chairperson Tawonga Manda said their support was driven by a strong partnership with the hospital and a commitment to positively impact the communities they serve.
“This donation shows our commitment to being ‘a friend in uncertain times,’’ Manda said, stressing that healthcare is a shared responsibility beyond government efforts
