Mponela ‘stolen’ beds sent to Euthini, Edingeni health centres

The 25 beds that were snatched from Mponela rural hospital at night abandoning scores of sick children on the floor were sent to Euthini and Edingeni health centers in Mzimba.

But it is not yet clear who instructed the ministry of health to transfer the beds to Mzimba but fingers continue pointing at a top government official whose name we cannot publish at the moment.

A source at Edingeni confirmed to our reporter in Mzimba Vanani Nyirenda that the facility indeed received 13 beds.

“I can confirm that Edingeni has just received 13 new hospital beds,” the source told our reporter there.

The rest of the beds were sent to Euthini health centre, according to another source at the hospital.

“It is true we received new beds here. The communication we got was that this was a donation from the ruling People’s party,” said the source.

Ironically crucial parliamentary by-elections are taking place in Mzimba Central and Mzimba South West where Euthin and Edingeni falls under.

Mzimba South West was formerly held by the current Minister of health and Vice President, Mr. Khumbo Kachali.

He relinquished the seat upon his appointment as Vice President when the People’s Party took over government in April following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

It is a must that a PP candidate win the seat formerly held by kachali or else the loss would not only be a vote of no confidence but also spell doom for the party’s chances in 2014.

This scenario has forced many of our sources to speculate that the decision to transfer the beds to Mzimba was a campaign gimmick but, alas, it has turned to be a backlash.

Principal Secretary for the Ministry of health Dr. Charles Mwansambo confirmed to Zodiak Online that the beds were indeed sent to Mzimba but he refused to specify where.

“The decision to transfer the beds was solely administrative but I think people have deliberately chosen to politicize it,” said Dr. Mwansambo.

Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daudi has justified the removal of the beds, saying they were staying idle at Mponela a claim locals there have disputed.

The locals have also confirmed that some children were physically removed from the beds so that they are sent to Mzimba.