Mangochi MP Applauds Health Minister’s Overnight Visit to District Hospital
Mangochi Municipal Member of Parliament Rodrick Clement Chiwaya has commended Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi for spending an entire night at Mangochi District Hospital to experience firsthand the challenges facing the facility.
Chiwaya expressed his appreciation in Parliament on Thursday, describing the minister’s visit as a strong demonstration of commitment to improving healthcare services.
The legislator recalled that only a few days earlier he had appealed to the minister in Parliament to consider expanding the maternity wing at Mangochi District Hospital due to severe congestion.
He said the hospital records about 50 births every day, placing immense pressure on the existing maternity infrastructure.
“I stood today to thank the minister for the visit and the words of encouragement she gave to health workers. The entire hospital is happy and deeply appreciates the gesture she made,” said Chiwaya.
Responding in Parliament, Baloyi said she deliberately chose to spend the night in the maternity ward because, as a trained midwife, she wanted to experience the realities faced by frontline health workers.
She said the visit gave her an opportunity to work alongside the midwives, interact with them, and better understand the challenges they encounter in delivering maternal healthcare.
“Indeed, it was a whole night of work. We observed a number of challenges, including the shortage of health workers, particularly midwives,” Baloyi said.
The minister revealed that during the 24-hour period she spent at the hospital, 48 babies were delivered, highlighting the overwhelming workload faced by the limited number of midwives.
She noted that the high ratio of babies to midwives is unsustainable and poses risks to both patients and healthcare workers.
Baloyi also pointed out infrastructure challenges at the hospital, including inadequate water supply and poor sewage systems, which she said pose serious health risks.
In addition, she said health workers raised concerns over delayed promotions and the lack of meals for staff working overnight shifts.
The minister further disclosed that the antenatal ward, which has a capacity of only 25 beds, is currently accommodating about 300 women, underscoring the urgent need for expansion.
Baloyi said the Ministry of Health will address the staffing shortage through the recruitment of more health workers. She also urged the Mangochi District Council to utilise Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources to expand wards and improve sanitation facilities, including toilets.
She added that the ministry is exploring partnerships with development partners to mobilise additional resources for infrastructure development and theatre equipment, not only for Mangochi District Hospital but for other health facilities across the country.
