vandals cut water at Malawi's largest hospital
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital suspended activities as dry taps hit patients and staff during 35°C heat.
Patients and guardians at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre scrambled for water on Friday as temperatures reached 35°C. The hospital's taps ran dry due to vandals damaging Blantyre Water Board (BWB) pipelines, forcing a reduction in pumping capacity.
The water shortage led QECH, Malawi's largest referral hospital, to suspend some activities. Director General Professor Patrick Kamalo confirmed the hospital had run out of water, impacting patients, guardians, and health workers struggling with hygiene and the heat. Some patients were reportedly turned away.
One guardian, Lucia Jasi, was instructed by nurses to fetch water from her home borehole, noting that patients from distant districts could not do the same. Another guardian, Maureen Kagona, said she had not bathed due to the shortage. Health sciences students also struggled to concentrate while searching for drinking water.
Why it mattersPatients and staff at Malawi's largest hospital faced severe hygiene and comfort issues due to a lack of water during extreme heat.