Students from Nottingham High School in the United Kingdom have donated four heaters and assorted items worth £3 000 (about K3.8 million) to the neonatal ward at Chiradzulu District Hospital.

Speaking after presenting the items last week at the hospital, the group’s leader Taona Makunganya said they made the donation after observing the challenges the hospital faces in providing healthcare.

He said: “When we came to this hospital last year, we noticed that women walk long distances to seek medical attention. We also found that there is no bed and women sleep and give birth on the floor. There are also broken heaters in the neonatal ward.

Makunganya (R) and friends sort out the equipment

“Back in England, we started raising funds for the cause and bought heaters to keep the babies warm, which is vital in the functioning of the ward.”

Chiradzulu District Hospital paediatric clinic officer Precious Chinyama said for over a year, they have been running the ward without enough heaters.

“We have been having problems managing hypertrophic babies as they need to be in rooms with adequate warmth,” he said.

A representative of Friends of Chiradzulu, Phocas Sikaloka, thanked the students for the donation.

“We urge other well-wishers to help us to lessen the challenges the hospital is facing,” he said.

Chiradzulu District Hospital serves patients from as far as Blantyre District.

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