Zomba Central Hospital is in critical shortage of oxygen after a vendor, Afrox, cut supplies following a debt that has accumulated to K170 million.
The situation has put lives of Zomba communities and those from surrounding districts of Balaka, Machinga, and Phalombe at risk.
The situation has not gone down well with some stakeholders, such as the Black Liberation Force which has since demanded action from the Ministry of Health.
“The people of Zomba and surrounding districts, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly, are now facing a serious health crisis due to the lack of oxygen. Furthermore, with the shortage of ambulances in operation due to the fuel crisis, access to oxygen within Zomba is more essential than ever for the people of Zomba and surrounding districts, and Malawi as a whole. Oxygen is a critical component of healthcare, and its absence can have devastating consequences,” said the Black Liberation Force in a statement.
The Black Liberation Force has expressed worry over the shortage of oxygen at the Zomba Central Hospital, saying it is putting lives of communities at risk.
The statement further demanded that “the Ministry of Health provides an immediate solution to this crisis. This includes: clarity on how the debt came about, and; settling of the debt and putting in place measures to prevent such shortages in the future.
Apart from calling for a stakeholders meeting, the Black Liberation Force has also appealed to well wishers to assist the hospital on the essential commodity.
