Fire Destroys Part of Dedza Hospital – Project Reacts

    Laboratory services at Dedza District Hospital are no longer accessible because a voltage regulator stopped working following a fire that gutted a hospital block housing the kitchen, laundry and storeroom including the records room.

    Meanwhile, preliminary investigations into the cause of fire have revealed that a fault on the thermostat for one of the electric pots might have started the fire.

    Dedza District Health Officer Thomas Salim disclosed to Board Members of Dzidalire Community Development Agency {DCDA} Mama Cecilia T. Kadzamira and Mr. Andrew Sikanda Nkana who visited the hospital shortly after the fire, that there is no electricity because of the damaged voltage regulator.

    Currently the blood bank is not in use, nor is the only x-ray machine in the district and the CD4 count machine, used to measure immunity in patients who are HIV positive.

    Salim also said the autoclave machine, used to sterilize equipment, is also not in use as a result to the voltage regulator.

    "For now, we are still assessing the damage to some of the equipment as a result of the fire. But an assessment on the building, which was gutted has been done and it is expected to cost K16 million to renovate," Salim said.

    Following the transfer of 276 patients to various hospitals, out-patients services have resumed at the hospital. Salim, however, said maternity complications were referred to Mua Mission Hospital because the two hospitals have a service level agreement.

    The damaged equipment, whose value is yet to be assessed, includes electric pots, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and meat cutters.

    "This is a very serious issue that needs urgent attention, we need help from all donor agencies, companies and individuals, Salim said.

Malawi Project Reacts

Immediately upon receiving this news Murry Dixon, the Director of Shipping for the Malawi Project announced the decision to make an immediate shipment of supplies and equipment to assist in the reestablishment of services at the hospital. The shipment is scheduled to leave Indiana before the end of October.