Government has dispelled false, misleading and alarming statements circulating in some sections of the media and on social platforms alleging that bodies have been decomposing at Mansa General Hospital due to load shedding. Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Prudence Chinama, said Mansa General Hospital is on uninterrupted power supply by ZESCO and that the facility is equipped with efficient automatic power backup systems in the event of power failure. The media reports that Ms Chinama was reacting to a news story published in the News Diggers Online Newspaper quoting a Mansa based Catholic Priest, Andrew Mukosa, claiming he had been holding funerals of decomposed bodies in Church due to load shedding at the health facility.
“My office wishes to categorically dispel the misleading and alarming statements circulating in the media and on social platforms alleging that bodies have been decomposing at Mansa General Hospital due to load shedding. These claims are false, unfounded and do not reflect the true operational status of the hospital’s power supply or mortuary facilities,” Ms Chinama explained. Ms Chinama clarified that Mansa General Hospital is not subjected to load shedding as the facility remains on an uninterrupted power line adding that in the rare event of unexpected supply disruption, the facility is equipped with a highly efficient automatic backup power system ensuring that critical departments such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU), oxygen plant, theatres and the mortuary remain fully powered at all times.
She further said there has been no report from hospital management, mortuary staff, or bereaved families indicating any case of body decomposition resulting from power failure. “According to verified records, the mortuary currently houses 14 bodies, including two unclaimed bodies under processing by relevant authorities. Despite the age of the unit, the facility’s refrigeration system remains functional and effective, as confirmed through routine checks and the latest operational report,” Ms Chinama said.Ms Chinama has since expressed concern over individuals circulating falsehoods, saying they do not mean well for the people of Luapula or the country at large.“…misinformation of this nature undermines public confidence in essential health systems, particularly when hospitals depend on stable power to sustain life-saving equipment and preserve the dignity of the deceased,” Ms Chinama said.The Permanent Secretary has also challenged members of the public, clergy and media to verify information through official channels before disseminating it.And Mansa General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Marcford Chipili said the hospital continues to operate at full capacity with no incident of decomposed bodies.Dr Chipili disclosed that the hospital is exempted from ZESCO load shedding and has solar and generator backups to keep critical departments such as the mortuary fully electrified.“At no time is this hospital going to run without power.
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As you know we are not load shedded and we have power backups with solar and genset at almost all the departments,” Dr Chipili said. Despite the age of the unit, the facility’s refrigeration system remains functional and effective, as confirmed through routine checks and the latest operational report,” Ms Chinama said. Ms Chinama has since expressed concern over individuals circulating falsehoods, saying they do not mean well for the people of Luapula or the country at large.“…misinformation of this nature undermines public confidence in essential health systems, particularly when hospitals depend on stable power to sustain life-saving equipment and preserve the dignity of the deceased,” Ms Chinama said.The Permanent Secretary has also challenged members of the public, clergy and media to verify information through official channels before disseminating it.And Mansa General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Marcford Chipili said the hospital continues to operate at full capacity with no incident of decomposed bodies.Dr Chipili disclosed that the hospital is exempted from ZESCO load shedding and has solar and generator backups to keep critical departments such as the mortuary fully electrified.“At no time is this hospital going to run without power.
Ms Chinama has since expressed concern over individuals circulating falsehoods, saying they do not mean well for the people of Luapula or the country at large. “…misinformation of this nature undermines public confidence in essential health systems, particularly when hospitals depend on stable power to sustain life-saving equipment and preserve the dignity of the deceased,” Ms Chinama said.The Permanent Secretary has also challenged members of the public, clergy and media to verify information through official channels before disseminating it.And Mansa General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Marcford Chipili said the hospital continues to operate at full capacity with no incident of decomposed bodies.Dr Chipili disclosed that the hospital is exempted from ZESCO load shedding and has solar and generator backups to keep critical departments such as the mortuary fully electrified.“At no time is this hospital going to run without power. “…misinformation of this nature undermines public confidence in essential health systems, particularly when hospitals depend on stable power to sustain life-saving equipment and preserve the dignity of the deceased,” Ms Chinama said.
The Permanent Secretary has also challenged members of the public, clergy and media to verify information through official channels before disseminating it.And Mansa General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Marcford Chipili said the hospital continues to operate at full capacity with no incident of decomposed bodies.Dr Chipili disclosed that the hospital is exempted from ZESCO load shedding and has solar and generator backups to keep critical departments such as the mortuary fully electrified.“At no time is this hospital going to run without power. The Permanent Secretary has also challenged members of the public, clergy and media to verify information through official channels before disseminating it.
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