Nchelenge in mortuary dire straits

Nchelenge in mortuary dire straits

Nchelenge, November 24, 2014, ZANIS…The mortuary unit at Saint Pauls Mission Hospital in Nchelenge has broken down forcing residents to hurriedly bury their loved ones.

The six body capacity mortuary at the Catholic Church run health institution broke down about two weeks ago allegedly due to perpetual power outages by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO).

ZANIS reports that Saint Pauls Mission Hospital Administrator Sister Catherine Tente confirmed the development in an interview.

Sr. Tente said the morgue gave in about two weeks because of the alleged constant low voltages and power outages by the utility company ZESCO.

“The mortuary stopped working about two weeks ago supposedly because of the unstable voltage and the rampant power outages”, Sr Tente said.

She said the precarious situation had compelled the communities in Nchelenge and part of Chienge districts to bury their loved ones soon after they die.

However, Sr Tente said the Saint Pauls hospital management had released K12,000 for the repair works which were currently under way.

She added that two new compressors had been bought and will be fitted to the unit soon as she appealed to the surrounding communities to remain calm.

She added that the mortuary will now also be fitted with voltage regulators to sustain the compressors in the light of the surging voltage and intermittent supply.