Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) Tuesday donated six oxygen concentrators worth K12 million to Queen Elizabeth Central, Zomba Central and Mlambe hospitals.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony held at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (Qech), Mera Board Chairperson, Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe, said Mera because it appreciates that government alone cannot afford to provide all the needs of the people in the country.
“I t is obvious that hospitals are overwhelmed by ordinary patients and those involved in these regular accidents who need oxygen. No government can afford to provide all the social services and I am happy that as Mera, we have made this humble donation which will help to save lives of Malawians,” he said.
Bvumbwe said Mera conducted a research to find out what hospitals need in the country before making the donation.
“It is important to make constant research, listen to the recipients and see what they need. The hospitals here have told us other needs they have and we will come again,” he said.
Chief Nursing Officer at Qech, Lucy Chigwenembe, hailed Mera for donation, describing it as timely and life-saving.
“We need about 30 oxygen concentrators in our wards and this donation is a relief. It will go a long way in helping Malawians,” she said.
And Chief Clinical Officer at Mlambe Hospital, MadalitsoChitsakamire, bemoaned frequent electricity blackouts which he said are negatively affecting their work.
“We are spending over K3 million on fuel per month while we pay around K900,000 in electricity [bills] for a similar period. The cost is too high for a hospital which largely operates on user fees,” he said.
On Monday, Mera donated another two oxygen concentrators each to Kamuzu Central, Bwaila, and Dowa District hospitals
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