Zesco urged not to load-shed hospitals

Members of the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) in Chinsali District have appealed to Zesco to start excluding the two hospitals and the water pump station from load shedding.

The house unanimously during a DDCC meeting, made the appeal for Zesco to stop load shedding the district and general hospital as well as water pump station .

The DDCC members stated that as much as they understand the effects of climate change and its impact on power supply, residents should not be deprived of the two important basic needs such as water and health services.

The DDCC which was chaired by District Commissioner Samson Muchemwa suggested that there is a need for Zesco to find alternatives and ensure that the two institutions, the water utility company and the two hospitals, are excluded from load shedding.

This was after the two institutions presented their reports and the challenges they were facing in meeting set targets.

District Surveillance Officer Kayombo Sakutaha, who represented the district health office explained that health personnel are failing to conduct medical procedures due to load shedding which has badly affected the two hospitals.

He explained that the power generator at the general hospital is malfunctioning and according to the project document, electrification and repairs have not yet been cleared and handed over by the contractor to the hospital management

Mr Sakutaha explained that previously the hospital was not affected by load shedding as it was treated as an essential institution with special care and attention and appealed to the DDCC chairperson to help so that lives are served.

He added that patients are now refusing to be transferred to the General hospital which is most affected but opt to be admitted to the district hospital which has a limited source of power that is temporarily tapped from the medical storeroom and only supplied to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The water utility company also presented similar challenges due to load-shedding as the reason for the erratic water supply in the district.

Acting District Water Manager, Amos Banda said there is a need for Zesco to consider institutions that are mandated to provide basic needs such as water.

And DDCC Chairperson Samson Muchemwa appealed to the members to be calm saying he will urgently engage the Provincial Permanent Secretary and see how best the issue can be handled.

Mr Muchemwa, who is also the District Commissioner, assured and sympathized with residents who are affected by power load shedding for more than 12 hours due to faults.

He said he will provide feedback after discussion with the Permanent Secretary and Zesco Regional Manager.

Zesco was not represented in the meeting and could not respond to the concerns.