By Precious Gome:
Partners in Health (PIH) has revealed plans to construct a perimeter fence around Lisungwi Community Hospital in Neno, along with improvements to the hospital’s drainage system in a move to enhance healthcare services and ensure safety of patients and staff at the facility.
The announcement was made Wednesday during the District Executive Committee meeting held at Neno District Health Office.
PIH Operations Director, Joe Khalani, explained that the initiative was born out of a comprehensive assessment they conducted.
The assessment identified several pressing issues faced by the hospital, notably security concerns and the frequent invasion of livestock onto hospital grounds.
“The challenges not only threatened the safety of patients and staff but also posed significant risks to the hospital’s operations,” he said.
Neno District Director of Health Services, Dr Enoch Ndarama, commended PIH for their continued support and commitment to the community’s healthcare needs.
He highlighted that Lisungwi Community Hospital has been without a perimeter fence for over 12 years, leaving it vulnerable to theft, vandalism and unauthorised access which compromised security for both staff and patients.
“We experienced situations where members of the community were found in possession of hospital equipment without authorisation. This is largely due to lack of security measures, which allows individuals from the community to move around the hospital premises without restrictions,” he stated.
Ndalama said the installation of the fence, combined with the drainage system improvements, is anticipated to significantly reduce flooding which disrupted hospital operations, delayed patient care and created unsanitary conditions within the facility.
The project, which is internally funded by PIH, is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
