Nkhoma Mission Hospital officials have expressed concern over lack of a drug storage facility, which they say has affected the hospital.
Principal hospital administrator Agness Nyanda recently confirmed that the situation was dire and required assistance from well-wishers to solve the problem.
“We are looking for assistance on a drug storage facility; otherwise, the current one is not spacious and has problems although we are using it.
“Apart from our own catchment area of over 70 000 people, we are also considered as a referral health facility for nine health centres with a population of 460 000,” she said.
The hospital’s pharmacist Fredrick Kachiponde said the situation has since compelled management to write Ministry of Health for help.
A letter addressed to the Principal Secretary for Health dated November 21 2018 reads in part: “Our hospital is facing challenges of storage space for pharmaceutical products. Currently, we are a hub of several health facilities within Nathenje.
“We are also the storage and distribution centre for all drugs and supplies for nine CCAP health centres. Due to inadequate space, some items are kept at extreme heights which is against storage guidelines.
“The provision of the Storage Box will minimise storage problems and ensure that products are stored in the right environment thereby ensuring quality.”
Ministry of Health spokesperson Joshua Malango said the ministry is aware that some hospitals and health centres lack spacious rooms for storing drugs.
