By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, March 9, Mana:  First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera Saturday donated assorted medical equipment to Mzuzu Central Hospital and gift hampers to patients in the facility’s maternity, pediatric and gynecology wards.

The donation included 16 sick beds with mattresses, medical gloves and respiratory ventilators.

 Speaking after the visit, Chakwera said she was impressed with the commitment of health workers at the facility despite having overwhelming numbers of patients to be attending to.

She applauded them for their continued efforts to deliver quality health services to the populace despite high ratio between increased population and health workers whom she said are not adequate amidst limited space for patients.

"It is true that the population is growing and our structures are still the same, government is working towards expanding the existing health facilities such as hospitals besides constructing new ones to address the challenge of limited space in such facilities.

" Ministry of Health will continue employing more health workers to reduce the ratio between patients and medical staff," said Chakwera.

The First Lady also commended the institution for doing its best in fighting cervical cancer and encouraged them to intensify awareness on prevention of the same.

Director for Mzuzu Central Hospital, Dr. Ted Bandawe while appreciating Chakwera for the donation, appealed to government to construct additional maternity and pediatric wards at the facility, saying the current structures are too small to better serve the growing population.

“We also need more specialized personnel to march with the increasing number of specialized medical cases," said Bandawe.