Nine ambulances at Mangochi District Hospital remain out of service, with four lacking any clear repair plan, following meetings between musician Patience Namadingo and district authorities.
Namadingo, who traveled to Mangochi to understand the situation and offer assistance, revealed that accessing accurate information and cooperation from officials was initially difficult.
“I didn’t go there to collect the ambulances. I went to understand the procedure and find out how I could help. What I did not anticipate was how difficult it would be to even get a conversation started,” said Namadingo.
After an unsuccessful first day, Namadingo was granted an audience with the full district leadership, including the District Commissioner (DC), Director of Health Services (DHS), and Chairpersons of relevant committees.
During the meeting, officials confirmed that out of nine non-functional ambulances, five had been marked for repair, and three had already been transferred to the Plant and Vehicle Hire Organisation (PVHO) for maintenance.
However, a lack of communication raised concerns among leaders.
“I was surprised to learn that three ambulances were already moved for maintenance, yet no one had informed us. Even hospital officials present last week didn’t mention this,” said Ivy Sande, Chairperson of the Health and Environment Service Committee.
The District Commissioner responded by suggesting it “might have slipped the minds” of hospital administrators, a remark that sparked a lengthy debate over transparency and accountability.
Council Chairperson Yusuf Abdalla, who also serves as the councillor for Makanjira Ward, strongly urged expedited action on the grounded vehicles.
“We can’t continue losing time while ambulances gather dust. There has to be a quicker way to fix these vehicles,” Abdalla pleaded during the meeting.
Namadingo is now preparing to submit a formal proposal on how he can support the district in repairing the remaining ambulances which will undergo a legal review before a decision is made.
“This is not about me. It’s not about celebrity or politics,” Namadingo said. “It’s about a mother in labor at night with no transport. It’s about children who can’t reach a clinic in time. If my voice can help put even one ambulance back on the road, then it’s worth it.”
Health service delivery in Malawi continues to face challenges, particularly in rural districts.
Similar ambulance shortages have been reported elsewhere, often due to inadequate maintenance funding and delayed procurement systems.
