Malawi’s Nkhata Bay District Hospital in over K300 million debt

Credit: Maravi Post

Nkhata Bay District Hospital has revealed that it is going through financial challenges as it is failing to service over K300 million debt that the facility owes different utility service companies.

The situation has heavily paralysed operations of the hospital as it is currently unable to repair oxygen plant which went dysfunctional in January this year.

According to Director of health and social services at the hospital, Dr Mwatikonda Mbendera, the oxygen plant is only serviced by South African based technicians because it is highly sophisticated.

Dr Mbendera further said water and electricity bills have also contributed to the huge debts of the hospital as it is regarded as an industry; and so brings high bills.

“We have projects; some short term, others long term, but what I may need is a bail out from government on these high utility bills,” said Dr Mbendera.

Commenting on the development, Deputy Minister of Health, Chrissie Kalamula Kanyasho, who toured the hospital, said Ministry of Health would take the matter up through Nkhata Bay District Council and provide the most needed support.

Kanyasho said: “We are going to ask the district council to engage Escom to see if we can come together and manage the situation.”

With a population of over 316 thousand people, Nkhata Bay District comes fourth as the most hit districts by Covid-19 in the country.