By Lyte Ali and Ralph Chinomba

Mangochi, April 16, Mana: Mangochi District Council has advised musician, Patience Namadingo to put in writing his request to fix grounded ambulances for Mangochi District Hospital.

The advice came after the musician met officials at the council on Tuesday where he expressed his intention to have the ambulances fixed.

Speaking to members of the media soon after the meeting, Acting District Commissioner (DC) for Mangochi, Davie Chigwenembe said the council has welcomed Namadingo`s gesture.

‘‘We have welcomed the idea, but we have advised him to follow the right procedure by formally expressing his interest.

‘‘It is not possible for us just to release the ambulances without procedures, hence the need for him to write us, and from there we will advise him accordingly,’’ said Chigwenembe.

Currently, Mangochi District Hospital has 23 ambulances, 14 of which are runners, while nine are non-runners. 

However, according to Chigwenembe, five out of the nine non-runners are serviceable, and processes to have them maintained is underway.

In his remarks, Namadingo described the meeting with council officials fruitful, saying it has provided him with the direction and information on the way forward.

‘‘I am excited with the direction that the council has provided, and I will proceed as advised.

‘‘This is not my first time to do this, I have done the same in other districts like Chikwawa and Mwanza.

“I am not doing this as a celebrity, but as a citizen of the country,’’ said Namadingo.