Funding for the following projects is urgently needed

We are currently working on a number of projects in order to improve the healthcare on Likoma Island, Malawi. We need your continued support to help fund the following work (click on each title for further information):

• New operating theater
• Supply of drugs
• Staff incentives
• Supply of equipment
• New laboratory

 New operating theatre

The current theatre is very old

The design and use of the theatre complex needs an urgent overhaul.

The operating theatre is very old and the construction is out of date with current required standards in Malawi, nevermind the standards people are used to in the West.

It is too small and much too hot. The ventilation is inadequate and there is no air conditioner. There are no proper areas for cleaning, packing and sterilizing instruments or for the surgeon and assistants to scrub up and glove and gown correctly. These facilities are unsuitable for treating patients with infectious diseases, with cross infection being a constant danger.

The operating theatre has recently been condemned by Government inspectors. Even by the poor standards prevalent in Malawi as a whole, the chances of infection in the operating theatre are too high to be acceptable. It is essential that funds are raised to build and equip a new operating theatre. The Malawian Government will not provide the required funding.

The hospital administrator is extremely concerned that the operating theatre may be closed down before the new one is built and this would mean that no operations could be performed on Likoma. This would inevitably lead to many adult and infant fatalities. 

Supply of Drugs

Supply of drugs is a challenge

St Peter's constantly faces a shortage of essential drugs and resourses.

The general position is that drugs must be procured form medical stores run by the government in Mzuzu. The average time from placing an order to receiving drugs is less than one month for items that are in stock, but often only half of the items ordered are available. When supplies do not arrive from Mzuzu, the hospital has to order from private pharmaceutical companies. St Peter's never has enough funds to buy the essential drugs which are needed.

Francis Vuma, the hospital administrator, in a recent email told us that:

Since May 2010 the Government has failed to provide the hospital with the drugs and medical supplies which are needed and St Peter's has had no choice other than to rely on African Steps for help. We are intervening on a regular basis with funding, but also by shipping unused British National Health Service drugs to the hospital.

Staff Incentives

Staff incentives

The hospital administrator, Francis Vuma has already picked up the challenge of staff shortages and he is using every network he has to try and attract the sort of people needed to work in the hospital.

The new staff houses built by African Steps and the staff incentive payments made each month to the hospital will help greatly, but even more is needed.

Supply of equipment

Antique metal steriliser

We are in urgent need of a large electric autoclave. Traditionally, the instruments for theatre were sterilized in a single antique metal steriliser, heated over a primus stove in a small courtyard open to the sky. This meant that it was not possible to sterilize instruments in heavy rain and the system was somewhat hazardous to staff at all times.

Recently the hospital has been supplied with a small electric autoclave, but at times they have experienced technical problems and have reverted to the old traditional sterilizer.

The following essential items of equipment are also needed:-

•  
• 1 pulse oximeter
• 5 paediatric Ambubags
• 1 suction machine
• 1 set dental equipment
• 2 air conditioners

The Laboratory

The laboratory needs refurbishing

The laboratory is run by an acting laboratory assistant. He has had no formal training, but has learned basic theory and skills during short courses or from visitors. The hospital has been unable to recruit a laboratory technician.

The laboratory itself is very old and in poor shape. There is concern that the building will collapse due to termite infestation. A new laboratory is needed as soon as possible.