Shortage of gloves hits Kamuzu Central Hospital

Lives of medical doctors and nurses at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) are at stake following the massive shortage of surgical gloves which has hit the hospital for more than two weeks, a leaked internal memorandum has revealed.

But KCH director Noordeen Alide this week said they have ordered some gloves although the quantities were not enough to last for a long time.

According to a memo dated March 19 2012, addressed to Alide, the hospital has been failing to procure the gloves because they are out of stock on the market.

“I wish to inform you that there are no surgical gloves in the hospital.

“Unfortunately, almost all the suppliers have indicated they do not have the commodity in stock,” reads the memo signed by the hospital’s pharmacy specialist Albert Khuwi.

Alide said Central Medical Stores does not have the gloves; hence, they are relying on supplies from private companies.

“We have received some supplies this week. The quantities are not enough but they could take us up to the next one and a half weeks. In the meantime, we are also making arrangements to have more supplies delivered,” explained Alide.