As the 2019 Tripartite Elections draw closer, Senior Chief Katumbi of Rumphi has warned people to guard against politicians who usually bring donations in the name of luring voters.
Such people, the chief says, come like saints but deep down their hearts they have selfish motives.
Senior Chief Katumbi made the observation in Hewe on Saturday when Hewe Development Association (Heda) donated 25 mattresses worth K1 million to the area’s Katowo Rural Hospital.
The chief recalled a scenario towards the 2014 Tripartite Elections involving aspiring Member of Parliament for the area (Rumphi West Constituency), Jane Kabogodo Gondwe.
Gondwe, who was contesting as an independent, donated mattresses to Katowo Rural Hospital, but she later reclaimed the mattresses after losing the elections to the current parliamentarian, Jacqueline Kuowenhoven.
“We were all shocked, because at that time some patients were even being removed from their sick beds. Up to this date, no one in this area understands what was exactly going on in her mind,” the chief lamented.
“This hospital has been experiencing shortages of mattresses. She showed some love by bringing what our brothers and sisters were lacking whenever they are admitted to the hospital, but all of the sudden [after losing the elections] she turned her back on us.”
He added that since then, Gondwe, currently in the United Kingdom, has never been in the area again.
The Daily Times was unable to seek Gondwe’s comment despite several efforts.
Heda board of trustees’ chairperson Timothy Nzima said the main focus of the one-year-old organisation is to address human needs.
“Here in Hewe we have one hospital that caters for 14 villages. It means resources at this hospital are always under pressure. When my friends and I sat down we agreed to start with mattresses. That is what was needed most,” Nzima explained.
Katowo Rural Hospital Medical Assistant Tabakavu Gondwe said the gesture will make a huge difference.
He said that some patients spend nights on the floor, a situation he said puts them at a risk of contracting some avoidable infections.
“The challenge is too big. Others sleep on the floor making it difficult for us when such patients need a drip. Some sleep on torn mattresses, which is not healthy at all,” he said.
He conceded that the hospital—which serves over 26,000 people—is under pressure considering the influx of patients from neighbouring Zambian villages.
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