St. Clara Health Centre in Senior Chief Mweniwenya in Chitipa District under Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church has operated for five years without electricity despite applying for power connection.

In an interview on Saturday, the facility’s in-charge Job Chatseka said the situation is affecting service delivery, including the storage of vaccines and other drugs that require refrigerators.

He said: “Every health facility requires electricity to power refrigerators that are used to store drugs and vaccines. Again, electricity is also needed to power nebuliser machines for asthma patients.

The health facility that is running without power

“Additionally, plans to construct a maternity wing at the facility, which serves over 9 000 people, are being thwarted because there is no way a maternity service can be delivered without electricity.”

In a separate interview, Karonga Diocese Caritas secretary Mwabi Shaba said the delay to connect power to the facility meant to serve people in the rural area was worrisome.

He said: “In fact, the diocese applied for electricity two years ago not only for St. Clara Health Centre, but also St. Cynthia Health Centre around Chisankhwa in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa District and St. Monica Community Day Secondary School around Wiliro in Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga District.

“But up to now we have not been connected despite making several follow-ups. This is affecting service delivery as members of staff cannot be motivated to stay in rural areas without electricity.”

However, when contacted on Friday for comment, Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi spokesperson Kitty Chingota Chinseu asked for a questionnaire which she did not respond to.

When contacted again yesterday, she said she would respond but did not by press time at 5pm.

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