UDF urges govt to reconsider Atupele’s donation to hospitals

The United Democratic Front (UDF) has called on government to soften its stand on K3 million, the party’s presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi donated to referral hospitals.

Government rejected three cheques worth K3 million to Mzuzu, Kamuzu and Queen Elizabeth central hospitals, arguing it was acting under instruction from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to send the cheques back until the elections are conducted.

However, MEC chief elections officer Willie Kalonga disputed advising the Ministry of Health to hold the donations, adding there is no provision that bars people from donating to hospitals in the campaign period.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo said it is not on for government to continue rejecting the donation when hospitals are facing various problems.

He said Muluzi donated the money in good faith, but government decided to politicise it.

Padambo said UDF is not comfortable with the idea of making the donation after the elections when patients are facing various challenges in the referral hospitals.

“We are not comfortable with the directive that the donation be made after May 20. We would have loved if government softened its position and let us donate.

“The problem is that the whole thing has been politicised when the money was being donated in good faith. The donation came because our president was touched,” said Padambo.

Principal secretary (PS) for Health Chris Kang’ombe said UDF has to communicate to government on their concern.