Safe Motherhood donates equipment to QECH

Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood on Friday donated equipment and medical supplies to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).

Handing over the donation to the hospital, Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood deputy coordinator Sharon Bisika said the equipment was given to reduce maternal deaths at the hospital.

“We chose QECH because it is a referral hospital and, therefore, has a big workload.  President [Joyce Banda] is fundraising for the construction of maternity waiting rooms in the country and QECH will also benefit from the programme.

“We hope that the maternity waiting rooms will reduce the congestion in many hospitals in the country.  The donation includes wheel chairs, crutches, disposable gowns and theatre equipment. The equipment was donated by Afya Foundation of the United States,” said Bisika.

Receiving the donation, QECH administrator Andrew Gonani thanked the Initiative for the equipment.

“The donation will assist in reducing death of mothers and babies usually caused by lack of equipment and supplies. The donation will have a big impact because QECH is both a referral and district hospital. The donation has also energised our spirits and we are going to work harder in delivering our services,” said Gonani.

The Presidential Initiative on Safe Motherhood is a commitment to improve maternal and neo-natal health care services  in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number five to 155 per 100 000 live births. n