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Govt refutes reports of child deaths at UTH after power failure

By editor
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Government has refuted allegations that a number of premature babies died when power went at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) recently as reported in one of the on-line media.

Health Deputy Minister, Mwendoi Akakandelwa, told journalist in Lusaka today that such reports are aimed at embarrassing and putting the government at disrepute.

Mr. Akakandelwa said the allegations are false and that they are only meant to instill fear in the people.

He said the UTH has seven stand-by generators that automatically switche on whenever there is power failure on the national grid, adding that such a thing cannot happen.

He said Ms. Marian Muyinda from the Non-Governmental Coordinating Council (NGOCC) approached him to air her grievances after reading the article.

Mr. Akakandelwa, who was briefed by UTH managing Director, Peter Mwaba, however said the correct position is that only two babies died on that particular day, adding that the deaths were from natural causes, and not power failure.

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

80 COMMENTS

  4. Yes in every hospital they are automatic generators that switch on immediately after power failure. So it could be true the babies might have died from other causes.

  15. Hmmm…you know, I was really disturbed reading that story, but then I thought, is there really any way our doctors could allow such a thing to happen? we don’t have much, but I do believe our medical staff are as good as any other…So maybe the minister is right. Nonetheless, it hurts me to see how shabbily the govt (all of them since 1964) regards children and their well-being. Hopefully things will change. Kudos to NGOCC…it seems that some relevant parties read this blog after all! LT, keep it up,…and HAPPYCHRISTMAS to all!! (*)(*):):)

  17. Iwe ANONYMOUS stop cheating people. its not every hospital which has generators stop acting as a government spokesperson. these guys are heartless and always refute issues. its very sad those babies died i’m a person who is very privaledged with information. stop passing silly comments even on issues you know nothing about.

  19. There is no smoke without a fire, who will you believe the people or these leaders who lie daily, Bwezani promised 4000 jobs where are the jobs? Now this small guy at UTH is saying no children died, White wash big fat lies. People 2011 Vote For Change from Parliament to plot 1

  21. “He said Ms. Marian Muyinda from the Non-Governmental Coordinating Council (NGOCC) approached him to air her grievances after reading the article.”

    ALA, Kansi there are credible people who read frequent this blog. You have to be careful who you address on this blog nowadays.

    LUSAKA TIMES….KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

  22. #17 Don Power
    Perhaps, not every hospital has a standby generator but every ward ro hospital that carries a ward with incubators and other forms of life supporting machines has some sort of Uninteruptable Power Supply icorporrated into its operations.
    I have been previliged to have worked at some really rural and remote clinics like those at Chingombe(central prov) and Chavuma(Northwestern). Even these little places have contingency for a cessation of their regular source of power.
    It is unfortunate that there was loss of life but there are some people who are working really hard despite the conditions they work in. And like everywhere else, the media hardly ever prints or publishes that

  23. “Mr. Akakandelwa, who was briefed by UTH managing Director, Peter Mwaba, however said the correct position is that only two babies died on that particular day, adding that the deaths were from natural causes, and not power failure.”

    What were the natural causes, Mr Akakandelwa? :-??

  24. My nieceis admitted in UTH and urgently requires CT scan but the entire hospital has one equipment which is NOT even working. Other two big hospitals Ndola & Kitwe do not have CT scans.

  25. 24. Desparate Parent, noted and will see if I can convince my Chinese or Indian friends to do something about this issue.

  26. Zambia is not poor but mismanaged and misruled. We need to Organized to bring in Real Leadership from Parliament to Plot 1 in 2011

  27. #24, Desperate Parent.. I wish I could do something about this… anyway I can help? Iam a parent too….(at least that’s how I feel)

    CT Scans are costly worldwide…. :-?:-?:-?:-?

  28. Cutey,i was thinking that by now you are totally drunk with wine,so much that you cant even get to a computer!always great to hear you say something.

  29. Gentleman and ladies, fellow country men and women, this is our time and this is our moment. Support the only true leadership for 2011 and that is only the U-Team with a manifesto that late Mwanawasa and alive Magande tried to use in bringing Zambia to some sane level as an economy and Nation.

    Since this is our time and moment as Zambians, let us make sure we help in getting the young and energetic president Hakainde Hichilema to become President of our great Nation, Zambia.

    I would have loved to stand as Zambian presidential candidate in 2011, but I have commitments right now. I am considering doing so in 2016. I have already secured some support from non-Zambians of all forms. =;

  30. Lusaka Times you posted that report was it a cookie or you can defend now.Hope you are not sliding into Fred M’membe’s sensational journalism.Credibility and authenticity based on validity is every bridge to building an enduring media house.You could prosper and gain credible patronage by being credible in your news fillings.

    Can you defend that or post an apology? There is dignity in humility.

  31. Bwana Mwendoi Akakandelwa, dont be cheated. Carry out a random survay in the country on standby gen sets. 95% of them never automatically start when there is power failure due to either technical problems that includes lack of maintence, poor maintenace or lack of fuel.May be only the mines and plot 1 and 2 can boost of having reliable ones. The babies died that is the truth regardless of numbers. PERIOD!! But remember GOD is watching. Wishing MMD a horrible 2009.

  32. 31. MALAITI RANGERS, I also wonder if there is more redundancy of using batteries in case the desiel runs out for the desiel engines to continue working or if they don’t work when Power from the national electricity grid is out of reach.

    may be the D. Minister can advise us on this one too. 😕

  33. After months and months of hard work and ofcoase 9 months of carrying the long awaited baby and just to loose it withing a short moment because of ZESCO? The Chinda-Law(Chindalo) Association says no to that.The association will never accept such kind of irresponsibility.
    Upcoming President. :o:o

  34. I hope the Govt is not just defending herself. Services of the UTH staff leave much to be desired. Most of the deaths at UTH are out the negligence of its incompetent and demotivated staff.

  35. again this story.who is telling the truth?the woman gave her side of that fateful night,Bangweta gave hers and now the D/minister,plz LT do something.i believe we’ve investgative jaurnalists,help us here.the poor woman made some of us shed tears,and bloggers did their berst to comment on this sensitive issue.so,who is telling the truth?who is protecting who?is there a way of helping that woman who strongly felt that the death of her baby-M was due to power failure?

  37. no bantu bamuzambia mula shupa.you had a chance to elect a responsible leader rather than a person from the mmd.you have heard a lot of lies that we are going to do this and this but nothing is been done(eg rb said”i will provide free aducation,were is it?”.why don’t you change a ruling part to something esle,these pipo have chewed the gov money with no remous.i think for zambia to become a responsible country, we need a dictator.and to add i think miyanda can be good dictator.surely how can pipo die in a hospital, i think it’s better for a prisoner to die becoz of no power.those babies who have deid who knows maybe one of them could have been a presindent.we need to learn a lesson from this%-(

  38. Don’t keep blaming RB,the culprit is miti simon,brian chituwo,the are the experts,this UTH problem even if this minister is trying to sugarcoat it its there.The ps miti should be giving us proper explanations not ifyo ifyabula mano refusing what trully happened.Miti is only interested in the no. of properties he has and how many more has he acquired since he became ps.sata knows miti’s dealings very well, he has always said ‘miti nikabwalala’ so iam sure he’s oe of the people that rejoiced when sata lost,but one day ,one day he will know better takeshibe ichikamulya.

  39. 30,31,34 & 35, thank you so much for your analysis & views. Muchmore, I was also touched when I read the narration by the lady who lost a baby. May the Almighty God comfort her continually. LT, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity of reading home news away from home. Merry X-mas and a prosperous 2009. Thank you.

  42. UTH has no work ethics. UTH does not know what informed consent is and it’s a crime if UTH can do lamber puncture to a one day old baby without the parents consent where are there work ethics. Zambian people especially the less privalleged who have no voice are the most vulnerabe. If i can be treated with repect and dignity and well informed in a foreign hospital, what can stop Zambia medical professional to treat patients according to medical work ethics.
    Zambia can be a better place if everyone puts the person next to them first. something should be done it’s not about protecting who but about working for the best interest of every Zambian. i wish this
    this woman can contact CNN.

  43. Here we go again.
    There is no smoke without fire. For sure the linen was not properly swept under the carpet. We cannot blame RB for this but the minister responsible, somewhere along the line disobedient give rise to such issues not wonder PF get ride of those who do not listen. Surely someone should have been prepared for a major power failure. May God deliver those responsible. Sad indeed.

  44. Mwendoi you dont know how it feels to lose a baby. You should feel pity fot that mother. I am a mother and I know what it means to lose a baby. I lost a child in 2003 and up to now I have never conceived. why are you telling lies to the people that no baby died. Mulekwata uluse. Any way HAPPY ARE THOSE. LESA ALINGANYA PAFINTU TUCHITA

  46. Useless government, the poor babies died at UTH and all the govt can do is to refutes reports, what about the mothers who lost their babies at that night??? do not be selfish, you heartless animals. Keeping up appearance when things are bad will not take us anywhere.

  47. Big up to Marrian. Look at you all women’s movements, you couldn’t even organise a protest walk Surprisingy. But when it comes to matters of prostitution and infidelity you come out in numbers defending imorality with donor funds. I can not believe i did not hear your voices over deaths of innocent children. Big up to Marian again and shame to you others.

  48. #24 i agree with you my child require CT scan the one machine at UTH
    never works how mutch does that matchine cost? something must be done.

  49. UTH in the state in which it is, even without power failures, should shame any normal thinking leader.

    Govt should fund that intitution adquately.

  53. It is true, one of them was my niece. The so called generators always fail to come alive when there is a power failure at the uth. Th govt. should be suewed for even denying that this really happened when they know it is true. Shows how gullible zambians are, already some bloggers have shown belief on the govt statement. Ever read ‘Animal Farm’ where it says ‘all animals are equal’? When the animals found an addition ‘but some animals are more equal than others’ they could not remeber if this had been there all along or not. Just know that the stand-by generators are there, but they do not work, period!!!

  54. am fed up with some of these African leaders who only think of thier families.when they fall ill,they are flied 2 south Africa or some where abroad,using tax payer’s money.why cant we up grade our hospitals,school,etc,so that we can be proud been called independent Zambia.are we independent at all?
    we need leaders who can leava footprints where they’ve worked,like Mr Sata(pabwato),am non partizan so dont get it twisted,who improved clinics to at least hospital standards.Sata will be remembered for that.but what about Banda and his Healthy Minister be rememberwd of?killing inocent babies in UTH?what a legacy.

  56. I wish every blogger of lusakatimes Merry Xmass and happy new. As for the rest of the country , am afraid they are people who do not even know what they are gonna eat at end of this day,wishing them well is actually adding salt to the flesh wound, this are people no one dare to give opportunity. WHY?

    If these people revolt against the elite of Zambia, will they be able to stop, why will some one stop them when no did in 1991. Don;t feel very secure your survival also depends on their patience. The police will not protect the elite no more…

    They will refuse to shoot and kill the revolutionist..people who will be ready to sacrifice for Zambia…local and economical colonialism

  57. #54 and #56

    Unfortunately Africa will always be Africa.

    You and I are on th net. You can easily go back to the promises Nyama Soya made during his campaigns.

    What does he do when he gets to state house?

    Go on holiday with his clan! That is the mind of an African learned or not. I was in Zed and I am sorry things are not looking good! [-([-([-(

  58. What a govt we hav surely who will take a full responsibility to the problems we are having. Ba mwandoi learn to accept the mistake when they are made be a responsible person. What hav come to understand is that a woman can not lie of her child, did mwandoi read the story or he was just told if he had he would hav shed tears before refuting the trueth God forbidooh.

  59. Choma Hospital has one generator that last worked in 1999. From that time, it’s dormant. No batteries, no fuel, etc. It’s always black out.

  60. To get to the bottom of this issue, iam kindly requesting LUSAKA TIMES staff to avail to the whole nation the person’s details who wrote that story. we want the truth and nothing short of this. we all know that UTH is a death trap, most of the people who are sent there on serious cases never make it past the ICU coz they find themselves going underground on the trolley to the ever full morgue. Again if govt was asked about the stench that comes from UTH morgue, they will say no.
    God help this country we have left. :-b

  61. # 42 awe, If that lady had contacted CNN, her story would not have seen the light of day because CNN would have found the 7 general electric generators. These generators are routinely kick started (tested) every Friday around 12hrs for more than 17 years. The story certainly had something to do with Ms. Mingele Palata or some other stooge of the opposition.

    Merry Christmas, Let’s all work productively this year.

  63. Big Mule people like you are not even worthy being called mugs because atleast a mug would change one day.

    You are a sumbag who was given a job by a relative.

    Ho Ho Ho!

  66. Its sad that every time we receive serious disturbing news from UTH the management,we dont receive the feedback to satisfy our many complaints that we put across.I believe pipo whats a change in the way the managment is runnig UTH.The UTH should not be seen as a huge kiler monister.GOVT. listen to the pipo dont just criticise pipos experience because that will change nothing. :d:”>:d

  67. Government should be responsible enough to deal with the issues of health and life.UTH is nothing but a death trap to the many poor Zambians who can not be flown to South Africa.Even these purported messiahs of PF were once in government but could not influence Titus to improve the conditions at UTH.So all what is needed is for current government to invest into Health institutions in Zambia and serve us the rhetoric.
    :-@:-@:-@:-@:-@:-@[-x[-x

  70. I pity those babies that died. Zambia has no system of cross checking and verifying such information unfortunately and such stories end up dying a natural death.So many of our people have died at the hands of hospitals from deaths that could have been avoided/prevented. we all cant affordto be sending our relatives to expensive health care outside the country, we depend on the Government for medical care but we are disappointed time & again, left in the hands of fete.

  71. Mwalimonapo Kabwalala asumina. Its like asking an African girl if she has ever had sex before. Try it and you will discover how blessful we are with virgins.
    White girls, they never care! They can even tell you about there parents’ best moments!

  72. mmmhh sorry i can’t trust govt on this, on the same blog one man said his wife had given birth in the dark, where were the generators then? so everyone who has an in the dark experience at UTH just dreamed it?? no because what they are saying generators are there to give backup for the whole hospital its a lie from the start because too many of us have experienced uth blackouts. Let it not end here someone should lose their job here!

  73. If Mugabe can refute the truth about cholera, what more with the UTH incident?:-??

    Marry Christmas to all friends on this vital online blog.
    God bless!!

  76. #30, Remember the government never agrees on anything that goes wrong. At least he admits that two babies died, and you know in politics two can mean more ha ha ha……….but I dont agree with #34 that the staff are incompetent, it is true that they are demotivated and this leads to negligence but they are competent given the right tools. Akakendelwa should have checked whether those 7 generators had diesel, it is very likely that the diesel was only sourced after powercut and the little babies couldnt survive the longer time of waiting……… God will judge them harshly these guys….

  77. In Chilubas time, a new generator was intalled at the Mulungushi Conference Centre for the OAU summit then. Gadaffi was in attendance. Unfortunately there was a power outage!!! Guess what, the new generator never came to life the whole time & Gadaffi left the meeting as he feared to be assassinated. Until Zesco power was installed, there was no power at the centre. That was a brand new generator, now imagine the ones at UTH-how old can they be?? Do you in all fairness expect them to work?? Some one knows there r 7 generators, lucky fella, u r in the know. Maybe they work-in your dreams!!!

  78. its sad they can even say onlY two died,ONLY TWO?TUBWA? LIFE IS LIFE,WHAT IS THE PS-MINISTRY OF HEALTH SAYING?HE SHOULD BE GIVING US ANSWERS NOT FOLLOWING RB KUMUSHI KU HOLIDAY,WHAT IS HE DOING GOING THERE WHEN THERE’S THIS PROBLEM OF GENERATORS,NGANI MITI ALISENDAPO IMO,NOISHIBA BWINO WACHABE.

  80. #41 niwe miti wemwine?nangu niwe relative wakwe mulya bonse,tiye uko nkusa iwe.What can’t you understand about this,ps and minister of health should be answerable for this problem ,not the president.Don’t just bosa.

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