Sunday, September 29, 2024

It can happen to you

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D block
D block

“The lights have gone!” I said as I lay in the post delivery ward. I hope U.T.H has the decency of ensuring the Paediatric ICU has power I thought. Panic gripped my heart but there was no way of relaying my fears to anyone.The nurse had gone out to look for candles no doubt. I was still dizzy due to for the loss of blood I had encountered during the emergency caesaria I’d had. November 9 around 18hrs my precious baby girl was born. She was 33 weeks old, born prematurely. Her weight was good and her doctors said she would make it. She was given medicine to help her lungs mature. However she was still hooked to a machine to help her breathe but doctors said in the morning they would remove her from it as she was doing well.

My heart was still pounding I needed to go see if my baby was okey . Was I being irrational? Of course a huge institution like U.T.H would have emergency generators in case there were power failures. With all the load shedding Zambia was experiencing, of course the management of U.T.H would make sure their Paediatric ICU would have a continuous, uninterrupted supply of electricity. I tried to calm myself but I couldn’t sleep. 15minutes later the nurse showed up with candles.

“Sister, please I need to check on my baby,” I pleaded.

“Nama drip yonse! Why can’t you just wait till morning.There’s no one to escort you in the dark anyway,”she responded.

I sat on my bed and started weeping. I waited till 06.00hrs when I knew other mothers were going to feed their babies at D block. I managed to slip past the Sister and hide my drip in my chitenge. I was weak but I had to get to my baby.

I wondered why the maternity wards were so far away from the paediatric wards.

As I approached D block I heard wailing. My heart pounded within my chest. All the babies that had been on ventilators had died. When the lights had gone after midnight it had done so also in D block and the ventilators that use electricity had  stopped working.  The babies that were depending on the machines for oxygen must have suffocated to death.

“Mayo inee,” I screamed. I felt very dizzy but I had to see my little angel, I had to see if indeed she was one of the babies that had died.

“Mamie endani ku ward. Mwana ali mu mortuary,” the D block sister said to me when I inquired about my baby.

These people did not even inform us of our babies dying and quickly took them to the mortuary.The information was too much for me and I collapsed.

I awoke to find myself back in the ward, my husband and mother sitting next to me. My husbands eyes were red and swollen. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare.

“Wheres my baby,”I cried.

“Hush now,” my mother tried to comfort me.

I cried for the next hour. My husband went to mortuary to arrange for burial. He came back 30minutes later. I was not prepared for what he told me. Due to some rule or regulation he was ordered to bury the baby immediately and was told there was no need for a coffin. They told him, I the mother didn’t need to be there. I collapsed again after hearing this.

My child was apparently was not human enough to be afforded an descent funeral. I was not even worthy enough to be given an opportunity to say bye to my child. I had carried this child for 33 weeks. Do these administrators care? Anyway why would they care I’m just an ordinary Zambian woman from Kalingalinga. I do not have a voice. Did I even get an appology? Someone did show up on TV the next day and say U.T.H is just fine. Should I sue U.T.H? Why bother when we have an incompetent justice system. I do not earn enough to throw my money at lawyers.That won’t bring my baby back. So who do I blame for this gross incompetence that has killed my baby? How much is a generator anyway? People are busy having fundraising dinner dances donating millions of kwacha to useless ventures, while innocent lives are lost in a poorly under funded poor excuse for a hospital.

Politicians, U.T.H directors continue living their lives but my life has stopped in a sense. This negligence will forever affect my life. What do a have to show for the millions I earn in Zambia but a dead baby due to a power cut? I did not even want to go to U.T.H in the first place but the private hospital said they could not handle my case. Who do I blame for this gross incompetence? Perhaps if there was sign hanging over D block reading “warning this premises does not have a back up generator, in case of power failure your baby could die”, I would not have allowed my little one to be admitted. What do those of us who can not afford to fly to South Africa for treatment do? Is there anything ,anyone is doing to change the deplorable situation at U.T.H?  Is there someone who will speak for the babies who died that day. Does anyone out there care?

This story is dedicated to baby M who died on 11th November 2008 in D block UTH, Lusaka Zambia as a consequence of the  power failure that occurred shortly after midnight.

410 COMMENTS

  1. These inhuman Nurses need to be investigated! How unproffessional they ve shown themselves! It can;t just be imagined happening pa Zed!!!

  2. Seriously, I cried reading the story! It is even worse than I imagined. Just you all pray to god that you never have to go to this hospital.
    Was there anything in the news (tv or paper)before? It was not only Baby M. that died. I hope there are more people and not only the mother of baby M opening their mouths. I am so angry that somethng like this can happen without the publics outcry!!! Some people have to be held responsible for this!

  3. # 3 READ THE WHOLE STORY. IT IS NOT ABOUT NURSES BUT POWER FAILURE. EVEN IF THERE WERE 1 MILLION COMPETENT NURSES PER CHILD, LIVES COULD STILL HAVE BEEN LOST
    INDEED VERY SAD.

  4. Accept my condolences for Baby M. This experience would have been comical were it not so tragic! Indeed, it is a very sad story, a story that I am sure has been repeated many times over. But because it is us the common men affected, why should the politicians disguised as our leaders even bother? They have Morning Side Clinic in SA and other places to send their kith and kin.

  5. It would have been better to choose a better private hospital who can handle such a case ,though they are quiet expensive.

  6. Surely, though powercuts were out of their control, they should have brought to parents’ notice and not to let innocent babies die by suffocation… And the indecent funeral… Why not allow the owner of the baby to have a glimpse of, though still some might argue it brings no difference, but imagine carrying a baby for all that period and never to see it!!!

  7. These nurses owe the mothers a lot of explainations. Its gross muder due to carelessness. They need to be rounded up and explain why they never gave a notice. Who knows how many could have survive the natural way than to be suffocated in those machines… Frankly am really offended. Its a touching story that needs attention from the highest offices!

  8. A Zambian worth his/her salt would be energized by these inhuman occurences reviewed in this article to bring change in our nation.
    That time is soon coming, I mourn with you. MHSRIP.

  9. terrible situation,indeed.this is as a result of not channeling reasorces to needy areas.life is so precious,priceless as it said.how can we as nation allow zesco to cut power to such sensitive institutions?how can UTH operate without backup power sources for strategic units like theatres and ICUs including the neonatal unit?why let innocent lives suffocate to death when pipo are busy plundering money on useless ventures?can only pray that God gives yu mum streangth fo yo loss,and to many other disadvantaged families out there.

  10. this is very sad indeed..as long as ZESCO does not improve the their service delivery..more lives would be lost.they should start by cutting off the hefty salary they give to their MD rodnie sisala and use th@ money to buy generators for U.T.H..

  11. SAD TO READ. MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD JESUS BLESSED YOU MOTHER AND FATHER OF BABY M.
    WHERE ARE THE PRIORITIES IN OUR COUNTRY? EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE LIKE ARE AN ILLUSION.

  12. This is really a sad story.Look at the life of a poor baby that could have been saved,but because of the negligence by the government that was an imposibility.The I CU paediatric should be one of those sections that should be with power all the time.When all these things are happening Banda is busy dancing and flashing out money.Why cant they come up with an important fundraising venture for UTH. This would be a noble cause,and we can donate money to the institution.Because they have failed to put in place all the necessary requirements at UTH.But there is money for there huge salary increaments,money for them to fly to South Africa when they have a headache.Surely can the government fail to buy generaters for all the sensitive sections at uth. I said on this blog that Banda and friends a just wasting money, through the so called fundraising dinner dance for mmd.And someone here accused me of being antagonistic to the mmd government.But have you heard what is happening now.

  13. guys,this is not the nurses’ problem plz!if anything it’s UTH management,then ZESCO,then the ministry of health and GRZ as whole who are to blame.how can a nurse know when they’ll be power cut? even if she knew what cud she do,disconnect ventilators?let’s stop the idea of always blaming poor nurses and other health personnel fo such unfortunates situs.nurses have been victims fo situs they’ve no control over,some of the nurses go an extra mile in their delivery of duties,they work under very difficult conditions with so many patients at hand.plz sometimes positive attributes do help!

  14. #7: Mr Mbo, How do you explain the indecent funeral? And from the look of things, the way nurses were handling the grave situation looks unprofessional. it was as though nothing mattered to them. If the situation was brought to their attention, the burden was going to be upon them, and they would ve understood the situation and calls could ve been made. Extreme options could’ve come in just to save their lovely babies, i.e if they had known, but they weren’t told and they thought everything is under control. Anyway, am not a doctor, am using my common knowledge and as much as i belive its right, it can be as well wrong. My condolences to all the mothers in these trying moments.

  15. This is an indication that UTH has no foresight on emergencies. What contigent plans are there for such occurrences? They just want to extend the NCC manadate to have more money in their big noses. The standby generators are affordable……………..!!
    It’s avery sad event

  16. Zambia is also recording a very high number of pregnant women deaths, especially in rural hospitals due lack of basic hospital equipment.
    No one is protecting the poor , no one is representing them and this as come to be embraced as part of our culture.

  17. Too disuturbing to read. Are all these sentiments falling on deaf ears or will some action taken? This is too serious a matter to be taken lightly.

  18. It happened to my nephew, careless doctors and nurses after my brothers wife underwent emmergency ceaserian only to rescue a drowned baby who died 2 days after birth.
    We have not sued UTH but one day my God shall deliver judgment. I have trained medical doctors and with passion i have told them to SAVE lives but God knows what really happens at UTH, no wonder some of these politicians end up coming to Zambia in caskets.

  19. Surely if they have no back up generators, they could have some back up batteries. Am in the telecoms industry and some of our Rdio Base Stations have back up batteries to last even four days. What happened at UTH is unacceptable and apalling….

  20. This should not be allowed to happen again. For a change could the authorities follow up on this and let it not happen anywhere in Zambia again. VERY TOUCHING STORY.

  21. Its really a sad story. Our Health and education sectors offer very poor servicesto the tax payers. What a shame on you thugs and useless politicians! But watch out inshiku shalingenye umwana nanyi.

  22. this makes sad reading,UTH if my memory serves me right is suppose to be a university hospital and the largest in the country.
    it is sad that future leaders were lost in what i call negligence,such a mulitude hospital is suppose to have back up power which comes in immediately the other power goes off,shame zambia shame UTH,we hear Drs going on strike wanting more money,why cant someone strike for improved infrastructure,equipment and quality care?
    what is happenning to our country is indeed sad.am saddened by this story,it reduced me to tears.
    :((:((:((:((

  23. This is a sad story indeed.The like of a beautifull baby girl could have been saved.But because of a chain of incompetence,the little poor baby died.The paediatric ICU should always have power.But these characters in government dont care.If they have failed to buy what ever is needed at UTH, why cant they come up with a fundraising venture?this will be a noble cause and we can donate the money. But they cant think in those lines,their heads are jammed. When it comes to raise money for themselves,they are very active characters and are seen dancing and flashing out money.I criticised this and someone accused me of being antagonistic towards the mmd government.Can the government surely fail to buy generators? Shame on this government!

  24. This is a very Sad Story.Murder was commited!NGOs where are you?Please assist this lady with legal representation in the courts of Law.UTH Management should be sued.

  25. #22, be decent, the fact that you are using vulgar language makes me wonder what type of zedian you are. lets put up proper pseudonyms.

  26. We are finally there. This is what happens when people who had not even in their wildest dreams ever imagined that they would one day rule Zed.
    These guys are not in control of the affairs of this nation!!! Look at the performance of the Kwacha against the Dollar, it’s free falling. Nose dived as a matter of fact.
    During the election period, not one part of Zed experienced powercuts. The same directive can be issued concerning poweer to UTH if they so wish. But they don’t see it that way. My bleeds for Baby M.

  27. We are finally there. This is what happens when people who had not even in their wildest dreams ever imagined that they would one day rule Zed.
    These guys are not in control of the affairs of this nation!!! Look at the performance of the Kwacha against the Dollar, it’s free falling. Nose dived as a matter of fact.
    During the election period, not one part of Zed experienced powercuts. The same directive can be issued concerning poweer to UTH if they so wish. But they don’t see it that way. My HEART bleeds for Baby M.

  28. Sad story indeed, may God help our nation. Its all due to lack of planning on our leaders. Everyone knew very well that power demand will increase but they chose not to invest in infrastructure.

  29. this is very sad indeed,i feel the pain,am one of those who lost aloved one due negligence.goverment shud do something seriously.:(

  30. No 25, please let the people hear your story! People need to be informed about whats happening! It might be hard for you – but you can help to prevent this from happening again if you speak out! So, pleeeeeeaaaaase do it! It will help you also to overcome the pain!

  31. The story makes sad reading though I feel the story was written in a hurry before checking some facts properly.UTH has a backup generator and you can hear its noise whenever there’s zesco power cut.Its located just near the UTH chappel or near the C wards.For me I would be more interested in knowing what happened to those generators at that particular time mentioned in the story.

    Birth at 33wks gestation is preterm though, and even in the presence of a functional Ventilator there are a myriad of complications that such an infant was at risk of.The Respiratory System was already compromised as hinted above.Informing the mother about the prognosis of her baby was appropriate.

  32. I thought UTH had a special line that is exempted from load shedding. How sad:(. The uppermwambas have all their houses furnished with back-up generators the ther back-up generators incase their generators malfunction in an event of a power outage. Now all they have to do is talk about allowances paid from tax payers money. Interest and protection of the general public’s interest do not count much. HOW SAD.
    WE MOURN WITH YOU MAMA.

  33. I HOPE THIS HEART BREAKING STORY WILL REACH THE INTENDED RECIPIENTS FOR THEM TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. LIFE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT USING ELECTRICITY MUST HAVE STANDBY GEN SETS.

    DOCTORS ARE LEARNED PEOPLE BUT SUCH HAPPENINGS WOULD APPEAL TO HAVE OUR DOCTORS TRAINED IN BASIC ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE COURSES SO THEY COULD UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF POWER OUTAGE ON ANY ELECTRICAL APPARATUS.

  34. This is violation of human rights.That child had a right to basic facilities like Electricity, that child had a right to a descent funeral how could they say the baby didn’t need a coffin!the mothers rights were violated.She had a right to see her child.This is gender discimination. Human rights activists what do you say? Us intellectuals need to stand up and stop the nonsense going on in zambia. 🙁

  35. Well, it is time we formed an independent body of citizen volunteers to look into operations of some of these entities and ensure that certain things are done right or are in place. Let’s emulate the Kafue group which monitors enviromental polution breaches. I am sure it is not the first time that UTH has experienced power outages. If at all they have a standby generator, it must be tested regularly and medical personnel must be trained on how to proceed when there’s a power failure.

  36. Civic Rights is the answer. We need to demand that no politician goes outside the country for treatment,it’s only fair so that they can improve the state of the hospitals in the country. God bless Zambia.

  37. What is even annoying is Ka Chiluba na AIDS kali Ku SA. Innocent children are dieying when we are busy sending fi VJ with AIDS for treatment.

    Look at people in Greece! Protesting over yes what is right. If this story wa not published by LT people like me would not even have known.

    This is beyond being a peaceful nation. Wake up Zambians.

    Any f.o.o.l.i.s.h MMD cadres out there? Hello!

  38. My condolences to the mother of that little angel.Of course this is not new to me,My grandma died last year,because the doctors at U.T.H could not oparate her on time because they did not have the kits to use for the oparation process.We had to buy kits for the Doctors for them to do the thing,unfortunately it was too late,and that’s how I have remained with no grandma now.Mwe Lesa what is wrong with our country kanshi?The Bible say leadership comes from you,why cant you give us a leader who will be able to deliver the country in situation like this one.Anyway all things works for good for those who love the Lord.No mwe Lesa even the isrealites complained,we are tired of this goverment.

  39. This is a very sad happening,i thought we rush to hospitals for rescue. A big Hospital like UTH not having any standby generator,this is deliberate and calls for immediate attention. This is all cos of plundered money which benefited a few greedy people at the mercy of innocent babies’lives. Shame not even any apologies offered.

  40. Idi You Tea and Che Quevera tamwakata amano. One wonders what you are oing whereever you are. Power cut is beyond being a nurse and doctor.

    You should see it is the fault of goverment. This is one of the cases where I wouldn`t blame an individual like Energy minister but the MMD government.

    What is the difference between them and Saddam when he invaded Kuwait?

  41. :d I annoyed with UTH Management, honestly these pipo can’t they afford the power generator for such a ward. They know very well that the innocent souls depend on electricity for them to survive.

    Does this mean that every load shedding that occurs, we loss innocent souls in Paediatric ICU????? To me this is total negligence of U.T.H. Board no exception of the Minister himself. May the matter be investigated by Human Rights………

  42. LT please post more stories like this at least one every day so that we really understand the depth of the suffering that people are going through in Zambia.God bless Zambia.

  43. #56 Angoni for heaven`s sake this is not up to the UTH board. Why can`t people see?

    Who buys generators? Chances are this recommendation has been made to government way back. Are they bothered? No! Busy organising dinner dances. After all they go to SA.

  44. The problem is that you dont listen to the advise that people tell you. for how long are you going to continue complaining without taking actions. unless you wake up from your sleep and stop being cowards,Zambia will continue having these problems.Anonymous thanks for supporting my calls for Zambians to wake up and fight for their country ^:)^

  45. People we should be calling for human rights here and the western world to investigate this. One has to pay seriously.

    I am annoyed with even the people of Zambia. This is where we should let the world see. How eveil can these plums be?

    This is murder. Charge the President and his government.

  46. #48,Montmorillonite is a very soft phyllosilicate mineral that typically forms in microscopic crystals, forming a clay. It is named after Montmorillon in France. Montmorillonite, a member of the smectite family, is a 2:1 clay, meaning that it has 2 tetrahedral sheets sandwiching a central octahedral sheet. The particles are plate-shaped with an average diameter of approximately 1 micrometre.

    It is the main constituent of the volcanic ash weathering product, bentonite.

    Montmorillonite’s water content is variable and it increases greatly in volume when it absorbs water. Chemically it is hydrated sodium calcium aluminium magnesium silicate hydroxide (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2·nH2O.

  47. the story is indeed touching. Can someone somewhere please do something about the deplorable state of our infrastructure at UTH. Many lives are being lost which in the first place would have been saved. May God help Zambia before mankind is wiped out completely.

  48. #48, It is used in the oil drilling industry as a component of drilling mud, making the mud slurry viscous which helps in keeping the drill bit cool and removing drilled solids. It is also used as a soil additive to hold soil water in drought prone soils, to the construction of earthen dams and levees and to prevent the leakage of fluids. It is also used as a component of foundry sand and as a desiccant to remove moisture from air and gases.

  49. Rashi I know I do not always agree with you but for heaven`s sake this is unbelievable. We are Zambians y brother despite having different political affiliations.

    This is beyond politics Zambians. Whether the government of the day is MMD. UPND PF or whatever, this is murder.

    I am going to start a petition guys to remove the MMD. This is unacceptable Zambians. Only a few days ago we saw a MERC Kunda was using. Surely the money could have gone to raising money to buy a generator.

  50. Iwe ci # 61 get your a*S*s out of here. You thick person!

    We have a serious issue here you decide to go and talk about your smelly a*s*s! “Tool”!

  51. TThis is very very shocking, my heart goes out to this woman…Mwe Lesa please help us.Madam whoever you are and where ever you are my deepest condolences you are in my prayers and may the good Lord comfort you.:o

  52. Those advocating for the relevant authorities in GRZ to take action need to understand that we the citizens of Zambia are the authority and GRZ is our servant. But if we don’t know our rights and we are not supervising them we will be taken advantage of because there is no accountability on their end. We the supervisors are always sleeping and we do not know our job that we are supposed to keep them on their feet to perform. Otherwise they will always sweettalk us .

  53. I still agree with my grandfather that We just govern ourselves, the role of the state is very limited ,if anything they negatively contribute to survival of citizens like in the above case.

  54. I almost said agreed with pipo who said that blacks are cursed,but I have just realised that there are some countries in Africa that are doing well than some contries outside Africa.South africa for example is doing fine in all the things that are essential for human survival.talk of Roads,Hospitals,food,Job creation Et cetra et cetra.Zambia the real africa Where are we going kanshi? And yet we have been blessed with so many things.The Temp is good,rainfall perfect,minerals plenty,tourist attractions fyani,the list of blessings is endless.I love my country so much,and I always defend it when someone here say something bad about it,but when it comes to issues like this i become speechless #:-s#:-s

  55. Its an outrage… but these are things we endure as ordinary Zambians, While others are flying allover the world for medical attention. The amount of money they spend on useless people like Chiluba and the monies used to increase thier salaries surely can buy a generator. Yesterday mothers were weeping at cabinet office for their husbands and own benefits.. Things in this country have gotten worse for us.. And there is abosultly no one to hear our cries.. One can only look to GOD!! This woman will be left to suffer no appologies, no compsention, No counseling.. Nothing!!! Its unspeakable!!!

  56. I mourn with all the mothers that lost their babies. May the Lord comfort you. I cant imagine going to hospital expecting and come back empty handed with a wound. Father God help us and let judgement come on the people responsible. Nurses please have a heart and know how to bring such news to people, you re so inhuman, may God deliver you!!!

  57. I havent even finished reading the story because its too painful for me!! My heart goes out to this lady.Only God can help us. Honestly thats very inhuman. Innocent souls perishing in that way???? Were are we heading to kanshi???

  58. My heartfelt condolences to all parents who lost their beloved babies. May bloody of these innocents be on the UTH management, ZESCO,Ministry of Health and GRZ. These institutions should be sued to answer for their negligence. Do we have humanitarian lawyers who can volunteer to take on such cases? The public can help donate a K5000 here and there to contribute to litigation costs. I am sure many would be glad to join in thi fight as UTH is the only option for the majority of Zambians. Zed wake up and fight for our rights.

  59. Where are we going surely? Some people in govt, instead of working, just spend most of their time dancing. They have even forgotten that they are supposed to start working now. Shame on them. This story is a sad one indeed.

  60. The mother who wrote this story should go to MUVI TV and tell this story and MUVI TV should call the minister to explain what happened and measures which have been put in place to ensure this does not happen.What nonsense.YOU MINISTERS CAN YOU USE YOUR SALARY ARREARES TO BY THAT GENERATOR PLEASE.That is our money we need it for this emergency.

  61. But naufwa Ichifukushi! may God deal with these people! RB and his corrupt goverment inclusive. Some one carries a child for a good nine months, goes into a painful labour, only to be told that your child is dead without remorse??? Monsters!!!!
    >:)

  62. @63, Thanks for the info. Guess you are a Chemist or chemical Engineer? Great.. I Am an Civil Engineer but i love chemistry

  63. condolences to the couple. This is very typical of the govt hospitals and clinics, i was at chilenje clinic last week monday, a long queue of people were waiting to be attnded to by the lab technician, that was just after 08hrs, the kama guy just looks at the people and says people should come the next day because he was not feeling like working. As if that was not enough a patient died on the long queue waiting to see the clinical officer who funnuy enough was giving the same excuse, this seems to be the trend at the clinic.

  64. Dirge to the mother, what a sad development. Powercuts are not good. Here in NZ people do not know the term load shedding, undoubtedly, it is Zambian English. People die because of powercuts. Imagine being in HOSPITAL, in the mines underground, in the midst of cooking, in a LIFT, transacting cash, etc DIRGE TO THE PEOPLE OF ZED.

  65. As always Zambians. All we can do is offer condolences.

    Is it enough? Don`t you think we should be doing more than just this? It is posssible people.

    Wake up! Let the world see. May be if we come together and let the world see.

  66. #82 ubupuba uko we shiluwe. Who cares what you are? Typical Zambian. Ubututu. Lives have been lost you go to talk about your a*s*s. Grow and wake up. “Tool”!:o

  67. I sometimes run out words. Look at M’membe, he is very successful because he is very alert and he always stands for his rights and how i wish all Zambians can emulate him and stand for what is right. You can sympasise, but for how long are you going to do that without action, thus why I support SATA on the issue of protests, maybe the government is going to realise that people are not happy. the protests should not be for PF but for any Zambian who is not happy with the government.

  68. what do you expect, the president is busy dozing and he doesent know anything about loadshading. good luck zambians with your president.

  69. It is possible that there is a generator. But maybe it was not working that night because of no fuel or something else. Who knows?

  70. No.1 Mandingo surely there can be better things to do than post that on this blog.
    Politicians, certainly there is something that can be done at UTH. We can not have such a thing happening at our what is suppose to be a model of what a hospital needs to be.
    To the Nurse/s, who where on duty much as the power failure or load shedding was beyond you jurisdiction. Compassion was not far fetched for you to exercise towards the poor woman. Please if it is not working for you in Zambia, go to some developed country to go and work wiping withered bums of their infirm and aged. Seems that’s what most of them want to do these days.

  71. My sister I share your grief. May the good Lord comfort you in this time of sorrow. Let us pray for our leaders too that God should give them wisdom to take care of this nation and its people. This really is a sad story.

  72. #89
    Rashid Exactly! But as always Zambians are just going to offer condelenses. Let us protest peacefully and just let the world know.

    Wake up Zambia.

  73. It is a very very sad story indeed. However I dont want to put a blame on the nurses, because there was very little they could do. However they could have informed the mothers to prepare for the worst since it was out of their power to know when power will be restored. UTH should take the blame and should reservedly apologise for the death of the babies. When people say let us try another party ……very few listen, we will continue encountering these problems…………..

  74. #93 That is all you can come up with you plum! What a star! I work as a bin man so?

    One has to get that bin from your house mind you! Ah well I forgot it doesn`t happen in Zambia. There are no bins any more. It is not the fault of nurses you muppet. Grow up.

  75. Acept my heart felt condolences for little angel baby M. Let us all meaningfull Zambians take this personal because next time it my be my or your baby suffering/facing the same situation. :((

  76. This really makes sad reading,am so touched.And if LT didnt bring this issue up i wouldnt have known.
    Mwebantu sure what is this govt doing kanshi,where are their priorities.? organising party fundraising dinner dances,what a shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Its really sad for a country that boosts of 44years of independence to still be in shambles like this.

    my condolences to the baby’s mother and all the mothers that lost thier babies on the day.

  77. THIS IS ZAMBIA WHERE NO ONE CARES ABOUT SUCH THINGS BUT BUSY INCREASING THERE SALARIES.HONESTLY SPEAKING THE 15% INCREAMENT TO THE SO CALLED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE HOLDERS CAN BUY EVEN MORE THAN 10 GEN SETS.AND UTH ON ITS OWN CAN BUY 2 OR 3 BUT THEY ARE BUSY GIVING THEMSELVES HEFTY SALARIES AND CAN YOU IMAGINE THE SAME NURSES #3 YOU ARE BLAMING ARE NOT EVEN ON PAYROLL, AND HOW CAN THE RETENTION PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL STAFF BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN YOU CAN’T MAINTAIN THE ONES AROUND?

    PLEASE THIS STORY SHOULD BE SENT TO DR.MWABA (UTH DIRECTOR) FOR COMMENTS AND LET HIM PUT HIMSELF IN THIS SITUATION.THANKYOU

  78. morning #92 with Brit flag. How can we connect before we discuss like #82? It is sad that instead of blogging the issue we may be blooging an ego. Advise?

  79. This is now history, therfore people look for solutions that are going to prevent this from happening again tomorrow or today. Generators are there at UTH and maybe the problem was fuel or mulfunction as someone has already put it. this is not time for :-@, but time for~X(^:)^

  80. Peaceful protests dont in work in Zambia. Have you forgotten that you have a sleeping president??? im sure Thandi is aware of this , as a first lady, she is suppose to speak out on behalf of the women. Manje she is too dull!

  81. NOW THIS IS THE MOST ELOQUENT EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I AM NOT WORKING IN ZAMBIA! MANY TIMES OFT THE POLITICIANS HAVE BRANDED US ECONOMIC MIGRANTS BUT THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF PATRIOTISM ON THE PART OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS THAT CAN SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS IN ZAMBIAN HOSPITALS! WE TALKED, SCREEMED AND NOTHING CHANGED. CHILUBA INSTALLED A GENERATOR AT STATE HOUSE BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN THINK OF UTH. THE POWERS THAT BE DO NOT CARE BECAUSE WHEN THEY ARE SICK, THEY ARE AIRLIFTED TO south africa AT TAX PAYER’S EXPENCE. MR GUY SCOTT PROMISED THAT SATA WOULD REFUND THE GOVT FOR MEDICAL BILLS, NO, THE SWEETNESS WENT TO HIS HEAD AND HE HAS NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE STATE OF HEALTHCARE IN ZAMBIA SINCE.

  82. #105 Rashid Jones. If you dig down you will find that it’s just the indifference that folks are strating to show. If the boss is frustrated because their boss doesnt listen or follow through on issues that are presented to them. Just this forum will give an insight that folks have no confidence with Govt. In govt I refer to the current crop of leaders. What happen to the proffessionalism that led to 1991 MMD landslide? Now when Mmembe speaks you hear chaps say he putting forward his self interest. Yeterday chaps were saying it is ok to let XC go free. Bottom line is public funds are misused and generators dont work.

  83. Sad story. It reminds me of 2002 when my wife and I went through the similar situation but I can’t tell if it was as a result of power failure. It is traumatising. Thank God we have two girls and that could have been the only boy this far.

  84. XYZ or is yxz the post is down. Aka site under construction. The Times, Daily Mail & ZNBC will put up things they want us to hear not the Truth. And LT will censor me for expressing my thoughts.

  85. Chuma Chiyenda…there was voter apathy during the elections and who is to blame for electing these guys? Zambians should let their voice be heard….This is outragous!!!
    x(:-l

  86. shemuneni babe 😮 this can not not be happing in our time….BanaMwana let GOD BE WITH YOU…AND LET THE LITTLE ANGLE BE OUR STRENGTH IN HIM

  87. No, no, no. We can’t allow such to continue unabated. My dear sister, i mourn with you on your loss. May god comfort you in these trying times.
    These chaps in govt dont care for us, thats what we need to understand. If it were someones child up there in MMD, they would have declared a day of national mourning, yet ordinary citizens die like chickens. Am very very annoyed.

  88. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION, BUT IT FALLS SQUARELY ON EVERY ZAMBIAN THAT HAS WORN A POLITICAL TOGA. UNIP BUILT THESE INSTITUTIONS AND THEY WORKED VERY WELL UNTIL THE LATE 1980’S. I TRAINED IN UTH WHEN IT WAS ONE OF THE FINEST MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA! WE HAD WORLD RENOWNED TEACHERS BY THE BEDSISDE. WHEN THE ECONOMIC MELTDOWN STARTED, FOR REASONS I CANNOT GO INTO, UNIP WAS OVERTHROWN. CHILUBA’S PATHOLOGICAL HATRED FOR KK, MEANT THAT ANY UNIP CREATED INSTITUTIONS WERE RELEGATED TO LOWER PRIORITY. ALL HOSPITALS SUFFERED, EVEN THE FORMER ZCCM HOSPITALS WHICH HAD SOME CAPACITY TO LOOK AFTER NON-MINERS, WITH BETTER CARE, NOW CANNOT.

  89. Baby C, Rashid Jones is always fine and how are you doing my sister?vw, obviously you saw what the people in Thailand did for not having confidence in the government and i feel Zambians are not different from those people, they can do the same for the sake of their country.

  90. Sad indeed. This story should be sent to the Post Front page. We need to hear what they will say, no wonder tehy run to SA coz they know kuno they wont survive

  91. My sincere condolences.But please… do not blame the poor nurses.They are also working under dificult conditions. The problem is our government. Surely when Sata was Health Minister such things were not there. We chose a wrong government which is not sensitive to our humanitarian needs. There is another cholera situation looming from our neighboring Zimbabwe, yet Zimbabwans are flocking into the country with no preventive measures. Do we realise the risk we are geting into? what has our government put in place to ensure that the risk of spreading is contained?

    HEALTH MINISTER and RB I beg… oooh do something. If you can’t fire Sisala, retire him.

  92. If in some areas like state house doesn’t exeprience load shedding how can the hospitals honestly experience load shedding. Can the gover and silala revist this.

  93. THIS IS ZAMBIA IN THE SUN, THE REAL AFRICA. YOU SEE IT IS SUCH THINGS THAT HAS MADE US GO INTO EXILE.THE DIFFERENCE IS IF THIS SITUATION HAPPENED IN SOUTH AFRICA ONE CAN SUE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, OR THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHANCES ARE YOU CAN WIN THE CASE AND BE COMPENSATED. BUT PA ZED, KAYA MWE, IT IS A NON STARTER

  94. Pastor J, kale Bamudala ekomwaba? Its sad mudala to see human beings going through such testing times, but i always advise them to wake up and fight for their mother Zambia and it seems some of them are still very stubborn to listen.

  95. Is there someone who will speak for the babies who died that day. Does anyone out there care?:((

    Viva H H man who has good health plans for Zed

  96. LETS COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A PEACEFUL MARCH (PROTEST) TO SEEK THE ATTENTION OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH BECAUSE THE SAME THING HAPPENED HERE IN CHOMA AT CHOMA GENERAL HOSPITAL. IN CHOMA THE NURSE JUST OVERHEATED THE INCUBATOR .WHEN THE BABY WHO WAS BORN AT 8 MONTHS WAS BAKED TO DEATH THE MOTHER WAS NOT EVEN INFORMED WHEN SHE WENT TO BREAST FEED THATS WHEN SHE WAS TOLD HER SON WAS IN THE MORTUARY.THIS BABY WAS O.K AM TOLD WAS READY TO BE DISCHARGED THE FOLLOWING DAY.
    BLOOD SUCKERS/SATANISTS ARE FILLING THEIR BLOOD BANKS BE WARE!

  97. AS A HEALTHCARE WORKER, IN SUCH DIFFICULT WORKING CONDITIONS, YOU CANNOT ENJOY THE WORK YOU DO BECAUSE YOUR VERY BEST IS SHODDY IN THE LEAST. SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, ANGER BUILDS UP IN YOU AND BEFORE LONG YOU BECOME COLD HEARTED AND UNCARING AND YOU FIND YOURSELF IRRATIONALLY VENTING YOUR SPLEEN ON THE VERY PEOPLE YOU SHOULD BE CARING FOR! I COULD NOT STAND THIS! I COULD NOT STAND IDLY BY AND BE COMPLICIT TO A GOVERNMENT THAT KILLS ITS OWN PEOPLE! TO SURVIVE, ONE HAS TO GO PRIVATE AND MILK DESPERATE FAMILIES FOR THEIR MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR DECENT CARE! PRIVATE PRACTICE IN A COUNTRY WHERE HEALTH INSURANCE DOES NOT EXIST IS CRUELTY ON THE PART OF DOCTORS!

  98. Rashid Jones #121 You are right but these guys are already saying any riot will be met with force. So there is element of understanding that there is a problem. Instead of sleeping why not do something about it?
    Secondly, Thanks for toning down bro. I figured you were very upset yesterday with the comments. But let rember that we are brothers & sisters dispite leaving the mother land or coming from from elsewhere. I guess what divides us is the context of the understanding the issues. I see you are showing 😡 for your sister Baby C.

  99. i retaliate once again, for the second time, twice, Sata should have been given a chance.he did wonders with our health sector at one point so i believe if he was given a chance he would not have let us down

  100. Lets[-o< for 2011 elections hoping SATA will win to solve some of these petty problems. He is action oriented than sleepy RB.

  101. Advise bloggers please!i am planning to go back to zambia, relocation mid next year.but,with this type of story i am trembling because i have got 2 young kids, one is 4 and another 2.i fera for my kids with this type heath system, and this is suppose to be the highest heath institution?My foot.

  102. A BRAND NEW CANCER CENTRE WAS OPENED BY LPM LAST YEAR. OK. THAT IS GOOD BUT UNLESS THERE IS DONOR MONEY, THAT BLUE BUILDING WILL SOON BE A WHITE ELEPHANT. BESIDES THAT, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CANCER, A VERY EXPENSIVE TO CARE FOR BUT INCURABLE DISEASE IS A PRIORITY IN ZAMBIA! THAT MONEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SPENT IN PROVIDING BETTER DIAGNOSTIC FACILITIES AND PREVENTIVE CARE FOR THE COMMON DISEASES THAT PLAGUE ZAMBIAN STREETS AND HOMES. STROKES KILL MORE ZAMBIANS THAN CANCER, BUT NO STROKE CARE! MALARIA, TB AND HIV/AIDS ARE PERENIAL. NO MOSQUITO NETS FOR IN-PATIENTS! :((:((:((:((:((:((:((

  103. I AM APPALLED AND GREATLY SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF THOSE LITTLE ANGELS.THE UTH IS A VICTIM OF CHRONIC UNDERFUNDING. THE GREEDY AND OVERFED POLITICIANS,WHO HAVE RECENTLY AWARDED THEMSELVES A PAY RISE. BELIEVE IN THE UTH SO MUCH THAT THEY DASH OFF TO S0UTH AFRICA AN THE MERE SUGGESTION OF ILLNESS. OUR PEOPLE, THE VOTERS, ARE LEFT TO SUFFER NEEDLESSLY.IT CANT COST THAT MUCH TO HAVE STANDBY GENERATORS AT EVERY DISTRICT HOSPITAL. AT THE END OF THE DAY DOCTORS AND NURSES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICITY AND THOSE ON DUTY HAD A NIGHTMARE. WHO CAN BLAME THEM IF THEY CHOOSE TO GO ELSEWHERE?MY COMMISERATIONS TO THE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY.

  104. Oh God what a mess in the country ,, very sad story as a mum of two i feel the pain badly what mama D felt ,, Dear God hope her to cool down in this hard time she is going thru i know its not easy to cool after losing a baby in such a way poor woman.. if it was Xchungu all would have been ok or the first lady …wish the first lady would give birth at UTH .. ohh dear poor woman i feel the pain u going thru ……

  105. ohhh No here we go again…HH, RB Sata!
    Is that the real issue or are we digusted with the ineptitude that the current leader exhibit?
    #2. SSS # 123. I think retiring people has become ineffective , cause they get their package and come back like VJ. Fire them!! The family that has lost a loved one. Is there value in monetary terms one can put on that? Not even the K500 milion is worth the life of the lovely little soul. Sisaal needs to go. Anybody tried to pay a bill at Zesco recently? Why cause they system isnt working Next people will be told that Zesco has no money because people owe. Total incompetence is what is going on here.

  106. Our health system is pathetic, how can they let something like this happen. innocent lives were lost and the medical stuff didn`t even have the deceny to apologise and give a reason. Secondly our government are to blame for the poor health standards in the country as they dont really care about the zambian people but mainly bout themselves,which is true.

  107. Livingstonians in 2004 requested Hon. Saki to use the CDF to get a Gen. Set for L,stone Gen. Hosp. The Hosp. has one now & I don’t know if thats the CDF that was used. Batoka Hosp. also has a Gen. Set now. Why can’t the people of Lusaka petition their MP’s to look at priority areas that require usage of the CDF. Like Rashid has said its up to us Zedians to stand up and lets prod our MP’s to work instead of supporting blindly. It’s unbelievable that UTH management can sink so low, such an incident needs to be pasted on the WHO website so that the whole world can know how unhealthy the Zambian system is. Why not also advocate for a travel ban on all our Politicians for medics abroad?

  108. ZAMBIAN PHARMACIES BUY DRUGS FROM ABROAD WITHOUT ANY WAY OF MEASURING QUALITY AND POTENCY. HIV DRUG RESISTANCE TESTS ARE BEYOND THE REACH OF THE COMMON MAN. THE POLITICIANS ARE QUIET FOND OF QUOTING ‘SO MANY PEOPLE’ ARE ACCESSING ARV’S, BUT MONOTHERAPY OR DUAL THERAPY IS NOT HIV/AIDS TREATMENT! SOME OF THE DRUGS LIKE AZT HAVE BEEN DISCARDED FROM THE PANOPLY OF AIDS TREATMENT IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD, UNLESS THEY ARE TREATING AN IMMIGRANT! OH! ZAMBIA! MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THIS FAMILY. MAY BABY M’S REMAINS BE THE VERY SEED FOR A BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR ALL. ‘ALL THE MORE FOR THE CHILDREN.’ V.I. LENIN

  109. #136 very sad outlook sir. So XC would make things ok after stealing money with Chiluba and buying expensive suits? Maybe if he bought generators instead of wanting to look good millions of lives would have been saved. Lets be objective and not think about our relations and what we benefited from them. XC needs to show the Zambian pipo that he is sorry and misguided. It was self of him to direct money that he was entrusted with to spend in the manner it is alleged.

  110. There is no need for fear, remember that these Honerables as you call them are enjoying at your expense.threats will always be there just to intimidate you but when things start to happen even the corps and soldiers will join in because they are equally not happy with what is happening.

  111. Why can’t we organise ourselves and protest over the same, to the problem might be not be on us today but tomorrow it could be any one of us to exprience such, I’ve got Silala’s contact number and his e-mail address any one intersted in this????? at least hopitals should not be experincing load shedding.

  112. #141 I had a long chap with a chap who thought it was ok to have a decree that all zambians should have HIV tests and in his defence he wanted to speak of a study he did regarding ARVs, forgetting that these are studies done by foriegn Universities & sponsored by pharamacy companies who cant do the tests in their own countries b/c of the legal implications. Yes you are right but I think the issue here is just the management at UTH & Ministry of health. And if Simao could think instead of running his mouth. He would be seeing how he could move funds around to sort problems like this. THere is not sense of pragmatism is the public sector.

  113. NOW IF THERE IS ANYONE WITH ANY DECENCY LEFT IN THEM, LET THEM RESIGN OR BE FIRED. IN WAR, IT IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY TO BOMB A HOSPITAL. NOW TO SWITCH OFF ELECTRICITY TO A HOSPITAL IS THE EQUIVALENT. HEADS MUST ROLL!!! SISSALA MUST GO! THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, AND THE WHOLE UTH MANAGEMENT MUST EXPLAIN WHY THEIR JOBS ARE NOT UNTENNABLE. I DEMAND THIS FROM THE PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW IN THE NAME OF GOD! THERE MAY NOT BE ANYTHING THE GOVT CAN DO ABOUT THE PRICE OF MEALIE MEAL, BUT THIS SURELY FALLS STRAIGHT INTO THEIR LAP. THIS IS WORTH DEMONSTRATING FOR. THANKS LT.

  114. #140 thats what that money is for development. He is creating mircles he is just doing what people elected him to do.
    Can the MP for Lusaka Central Guy Scott comment? Or he is too busy to remember that he was elected.

  115. #132 Mrs Atan Shansongo. If you are really the wife to the Atan Shasongo (Ex US Amb). What you raise is what happens when you think you have it all. If Mr.Hubby had thought about his children he would not accepted to deal with XC (as it is alleged). Now your children are going to have to deal with the results of the bad things XC & Chiluba did. Please learn this! “What goes round comes around.” Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you.

  116. Doctor in diaspora #148 & # 145. Load sheding was there when KK was there but hospitals were regarded sensitive areas. Why not load shed state house then if you can load shed UTH. Chaps are just not thinking. YES the should be fired. KU YA BeBele!!!! NO Package just fire their “behinds”. They seem to belittle their responsibilties.
    AND MR PRESIDENT>>>>YOU ARE VERY QUIET ABOUT THE WHOLE ISSUE!!!! x(:-l

  117. I WONDER WERE WE ARE GOING IN ZAMBIA, TWAPAPATA!! CAN SOMEBODY TALK TO THE GOVERNMENT. LUANSHYA COPPER MINES IS BUSY CLOSING AND NOBODY KNOWS IF THE WILL PAY THE SUPPLIERS AND EMPLOYEES. MINES MINISTER WAS GIVEN FALSE INFO!!! THEY ARE CLOSING.

  118. #I5i Baby C, We would be most obliged if we read what you had to comment on this issue..Not what you are feeling for Rashid. Rashid is smarter than that. Uledabwa.

  119. now zambians can see what we saw in 1997,Drs protested fo better working enviroment and of course better conditions,but alas what did we see?Drs were bunched in open vans to central police and later fired by FTJ’s regime.pipo of zed remained mute on the issue which saw a lot of briliant Drs leaving the country fo G/pastures.how can one explain such a dark night fo the innocent angels?we need strong civic leaders like the likes of late lucy sichone who would fear nothing but advance the rights of her citizens.GRZ,what is this?ZESCO,how can yu cut power to such an institution?Jesus Christ!have mercy on zed.

  120. NO!!! The ZESCO board should be embarrassed. Min of HIV Decrees and Health should resign. Even if we e-mail Sisala the man has no pride and will just ingorne us. Ati tu bepele feee!!!

  121. #I56 Cute. You obviously have a pathetic way of expressing sympathy. this is not a joking matter. This can truly happen to you. Am so disappointed.

  122. Sisala,Salasini and Dr Lambart are very incompetent Directors who just move with the wind. Zesco is making alot of money and upto now i dont know why we should be talking of load shading. Look at ZNBC, very pathetic, i dont even know who watches it now. UTH is a useless Hispital,once you go there if you are very sick, the chances of survival are very slim, clinics are even beter off.

  123. Ba Moze

    Dont just talk for nothing. Scroll up you will see my comments!Whats your problem??? why Cant you also comment on the story before you start any attacks??? Mind your own business

  124. This was negligency at the highest most. Do these people in leadership understand morals. This calls for the minister of health to resign based on principle. There is no way such a thing can happen and people continue in there positions as if nothing happened.
    The vice president is said to be a compentent lawyer, he should be in a position to say something in terms of what the law is in such cases.Its a big shame to the nation especially that UTH is the highest medical institution. NI LESA TULA.

  125. This brings back memories of the what happened to me years back. This kind of things happens every day in UTH. The reason being that nurses and doctors are frustruated. The government should be blamed for all this. I suffered a loss of a baby in UTH becuase there was no nurse to attend to me because she was alone attending to four pregnant women at a time. This has left a lot of injury in life this is why I hate this government. I have no regards for this system which is so heartless.

  126. Lets not just say am touched, am touched what can we do since nothing has been done so far bemember tomorrow it could be you or any member of your family. What can you and I do to prevent this from hapening again mwebantu????

  127. It is unfortunate that the baby or babies died. However, I doubt the truth in this story. How come it was not reported to the other media only to find itself with LT. There is also exageration about behaviour of nurses which I find to be disrespectful to the nursing profession. You can raise your concern to the GRZ and UTH management for compensation instead of inciting the public to rise against nurses.Learn to appreciate that nurses are working under difficulty conditions, no one was trained to work in candle light. My final advice is that this one reason the public must change the govt by voting wisely so that other people with new ideas can take health services forward.

  128. Medical personnel these days are joining this proffession for lack of employment, it is not a calling from God. In 1998 I had a bad experience also and I vowed never to have a child. It was my 1st pregnancy and the nurse attending to me was not kind,she kept on taunting me that this is what we call labour pains my dear,and she kept on telling me to squeeze my bums when the contractions where in progress which I obyed. But kept on praying to my Lord. Later she performed a bad episiothomy on me to the extent of even tearing my anus and said ma ba muna bako bazayamba kukuyopa. Later she screamed that their was sparks of fire in the Ka room where the baby was put right up there within the marte

  129. #148,Doctor in diaspora,

    You brought up valuable points in your submissions to this story. However, next time please type in small letters, they are easier to read.

  130. Madam, my condolences to you and your husband on such a terrible loss. Take heart in knowing the LT community grieves with you. My concern is also with the innocent victims, what can WE as LT do about this, to ensure that this terrible thing never occurs to anyone agin? My suggestion is to petition UTH, ZESCO or even Parliament, to declare that no child will die because of a power outage. Madam, my advice to you is go public with you story with the help of the Post and lets get a pettion started, collecting signatures. Lets bring attention to the plight of innocent souls. MHSRIEP, AMEN [-o<

  131. Biggie Jim…Is that an issue Mudala sure!!!!
    The Doctor is furious about the whole issue and it must be touching to him. Does the Japanese language have a rule about using capital letters? Please advise? 🙁

  132. This is so sad. I have no words. I feel for the mother to baby M. A scar like this never goes away, You feel like what you could have done to save your baby. Top management at UTH should all be fired!

  133. within the martenity, God gave me the energy to walk just across the room and stood in the doorway til I was given the baby and dressed up and another kind nurse saw me climbing the stairs unaided that is how she carried the baby and helped me walk to the ward. It is only now that it pains me that I never reported this person to the authorities but narrated it to my mother who explained to me that it is not right to be told to squeeze your bums or pelvis in the process of labour because it is a way of trying to kill the baby. I felt very quilty up to today and only wonder even if I went back to UTH wud I recognise the nurse, tho I hv kept the record of delivery which was signed by her.

  134. :((:((:(( my heart bleeds. I thot Hospitals were not affected by load shedding. Remember the promises “Load shedding would reduce once voted into power. are these pipo normal. 15% increment could have been used to buy these generators.

    CAN ANYONE WHO HAS THE NUMBERS TO MUVI TV CONTACT ONE MR C. MWANSA TO MAKE A FOLLOW UP TO THIS SAD STORY.

    May God comfort the mum and dad to BABY M.

  135. pipo plz note, the hospitals are poorly funded.arround the same time when Drs were fired,one wud use recycled gloves(autoclaved)to carry out procedures,i remember as a ma fifi in med to have been sent from phase5 to A-block to go beg fo a needle(canular) fo patient in acute bay,the story is endless!GRZ have continued to pay lip service to the welbeing of health institutions.we’ll talk and talk,next yu see come 2009 feb,they’ll approve their car loans in excess of USD45pin each,and will be besiness as usual pa zed,kaya!

  136. Guys mwe ma bloggers banandi you mean we cannot find a better solution to all these problems that our mother country is facing? We need to actv now.The affected pipo back home are not interested with the our comments on this site,what they want is help.Lets all read James 2 vs 14-18.”what good is it my brothers,if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?can such faith save him/her? soppose a brother/sister is without cloths and daily food if you say to him/her Go wish you well,keep warm and well fed,but does nothing about his/her physical nneds what good is it” this is what we are all doing feelingb sorry for our pipo home wont do anything lets help them physically. ^:)^^:)^^:)^^:)^

  137. #II8 Ba Moze, I found your comments Interesting there. I agree that this govt does not care for its people, otherwise things like this would not happen. Makes extremely sad reading.

  138. Let PF protest with violence. It will certainly justify this……..And everyone shut up if go stone the roads. Am so annoyed.

  139. #175,vw,

    Sorry if my comment sounded nonsensical to you, which i understand in the light of the issue at hand. Its just that i saw alot of sense in what the doctor in diaspora was putting across though i had difficulties reading his submissions. Writting in capital letters is not a very big issue, maybe i just have an eye problem, hence my request to my beloved blogger.

  140. No.98
    You don’t seem to understand me probably because you are away from home (Zambia). If i do not get a road licence since someone is not willing to do their job, there is an alternative by driving without one and if i get caught there still is an alternative to that by bribbing the cop. Its happening in zambia day in and out. But a nurse who takes advantage of a person mourning by not being polite and explaining the circumstances of death is he or she a devil and not fit to be in the calling. Unfortunately such nurses are now in large numbers and masquareding as professionals. To, them as mentioned in this story, i say go to uk and pretend well with good pay without excuse and period.

  141. this ia just gross negligence wheather its power failure or anything else we are supposed to be prepared. sure do they need to e advised to buy or repair a generator

  142. #160. You have told my story. Need I say more? Sincere condolences to the departed. I think parliament should pass a moratorium to bar our selfish leaders who opt for medical treatment outside the country while leaving our deplorable healthcare system in perpetual limbo. :-c:-c

  143. This is sad. This is really sad. I am pretty sure govt has got enough money for a backuo generator. Where is the minister of health in all of this??

    Instead of taking people to South Africa for healthcare, why not make our healthcare facilities better??

    :((:((:((

  144. Baby M may your love child have peace in eternity. I will put it departed offering in which people like your case and those that died without accepting Jesus in their heart are remebered in our church. I alawys cry when i look at how these in power have neglected we poor. They are busy fattening their pockets on the expense of poor ZEDs. Honestly such a big institution they cant have a standby generator. I really cry and pray to God may HE send his SON to fetch us home. I tell you we have greed people in power and they have no passion for we poor people. walk in the street and see how people are suffering. have peace in you mind and pray to God to give us leaders who can understnd us.

  145. #148 Doctor in diaspora,

    You have spoken very well! I like your analysis of this problem. Issue is when did this happen that it didn’t even leak to the media so that ZESCO’s and indeed the government’s insensitivity is exposed?

  146. My heart bleeds! God forbid! The health minister is as sleepy as his president Nyama Soya. Problem with Zambians in power is that they never resign on moral grounds, they have no morals anyway!

  147. what a sad story!. This should not be allowed to happen in Zambia. I think the money we spend taking polititians to the UK and SA should be invested in generators to support such cases. Am very saddened!

  148. #189

    You have a valid point there. The Goverment does not care because the officials,go to South Africa for Medical treatment. It is us,the Zambian citizens who suck up to the non sense. They will continue to be misused ,abused, name it. It is unacceptable for Health personal work under candle light.This is something that should be unheard of. Other wise Health care personal will continue to migrate. After all the Health care worker will choose to go where the system works.In silence the public will continue to suffer. The goverment has spent a lot of money on morning side clinic were thieves enjoy free medical care

  149. These are the stories that make us terrified of going back home to settle. Do you blame us? Remember that most Zambians living abroad are married to residential citizens of the respective countries. Imagine such things happening to a German, Swiss or British spouse of a Zambian?

  150. LT u know the people/person affected take this thing to NGO’s :LAZ if many people are involves they can sue together this will make management and govt more serious because we will blog and blog but unless action is taken in fact i shall forward this myself but u LT u have the sources so they defended those ngombe residents some time back pro bono(without charge) this is big i’m sure u will get a response!

  151. Can someone tell me, does the current minister of health have knowledge in the medical field? We need people who have a medical background so that the rectify the pathetic situations in hospitals and Clinics. I voted for PF so that may be Dr. Kaseba, Sata’s wife could have made a difference. Instead of opening a Kaseba’s foundation, she should have improved the health institutions, I think that is why most of our nurses and doctors had voted for PF.

  152. UTH has generators, so it is either they are not working and this has not been looked into because i’m sure generators are present!it’s negligence on behalf of management, forget the doctors and nurses at this point.

  153. No. 180 Matworld-Nice guy. That sounds good how about starting somewhere? My suggestion is all LT bloggers let start contributing money towards the purchase of a Genset for the D block. Ladies and Gentlemen its us who are affected, we can’t depend on GRZ coz when these politicians get sick they can easily be evacuated to RSA.

  154. Sounds very familiar! It made me relive what had happened to me in 2002. I also underwent a c-section and the baby was in distress – my baby was in D-block for 7 days and sadly he passed away. what I experienced will always be a painful reminder – I had to WALK to the D-block every 3 hrs – despite havingy undergone a major operation and I was not even offered a wheel chair to use to go to see my baby. As a result it took me a lot longer to get there than other mothers who had given birth naturally. Besides, I had to endure the insults of a nurse who kept yelling at me for getting there when other mothers were leaving. I share your pain my sister!

  155. What a shame on UTH. Right now my head is pounding with anger. Wish someone could be squizzed pamukosi. But who will it be. The government? UTH board? Please, Please, Please can someone do something about the situation. You mean our biggest hospital cant afford generators? Shame! shame! shame!

  156. #183 No Blaza I am orso soli 4 being too strong on you blaza… :”> I may have taken a strong tone myself. I beg your forgivenness too.^:)^[-o<

  157. If the ECZ was given funds to buy Generators for every constituency in the country, why can’t the same generators be donated to hospitals and clinis now since elections are now over, because the next time Zambia will have serious elections will be in 2011 and these generators will grow legs and find themselves in peoples homes.

  158. #171 kashimani I do not agree with your sentiments and you dont know what you are talking about. Are you in Zambia or abroad? Nawishiba dont talk just for the sake of talking what we are saying about UTH and the Zambian government is real. Things have gone to the dogs and dont make me annoyed becase I am a victim of this kind of horrible treatment by UTH staff.

  159. #212 these are problems of poor coordination. You may actually hear that the generators from the elections are missing. But even the Amry should have standby generators. Or are we waiting for an expat to come and advise us on that on. Great point you have raise #212 KAMONGOCHE!!! =d>=d>=d>

  160. #55, Anonymous, why are you shooting everyone with a different opinion than yours? I have been to UTH before and they have standby power generators but God knows what happened. On the part of negligience, wait until one of your relatives dies in your hands and it will dawn on you that all is not well with the working staff at UTH. Most of the nurses are bitter even to the innocent patients. Remember the beating of a nurse by one Lusaka Police Officer? You think its a joke to say UTH is a death trap?

  161. Sad story indeed. May the Government buy generators for U.T.H to be used during the usual power cuts that the Country is facing. May the souls of those Angels that passed on that particular day rest in peace.

  162. #200 VW I know that “Kumunzi ni munzi”, but is’nt it unfair to expose your loved ones to such hostile conditions they’re not used to just because you want to be home?
    Na yeve Muzungu kuno ni “Kumunzi” kwake…if you’re indeed one flesh, as the Bible says husband & wife should be, does it really matter in who’s country the family lives?
    Maybe your words come easy because you’re not in the situation…wait until you marry an American, or ask those with foreign partners. It’s real issues am dealing with here.

  163. Hearing this story makes me want to die!

    What is upsetting is that fact there are power cuts at the U.T.H almost everyday. No surprise staff there are so casual about it because they’re used to it.

    Did you know that sacrificing just one presidential state visit (even the recent one to Nigeria) could buy a decent Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

    Get a grip RB – it’s about time you got up from your back side & created an impact in people’s lives (right now we can feel you).

  164. #179 we all frustrated about the issue. But can you autoclave gloves? and Canula???? I am lost but I have spent time in a lab and autoclaving glass ware and used canulas (probes) to monitor samples. Could you explain alittle bit so that I could understand. Maybe I am misunderstanding you sir. ^:)^#-o

  165. Very sad story indeed, but who is to blame,Is it Zesco management for the power failure, is it UTH management for not buying generators, Is it Government for not adquately funding UTH, is it voters who voted in the government or is it the masses of Zambians out there who did not cast their votes to remove the incumbent goverment etc etc etc. To tell you the truth bloggers, I dont know who to blame.

  166. Nine Chale #217. I was just ruffling your feathers I totally understand and I am in the same postion (My son has yet to meet my grandmother…she is too old to travel). There is the desire to repatriate but there is also the reality…. :((

  167. Hi u know this is really bad we have a hospital that is the biggest having such problems oh please we have lives there can somebody do their duties.If i u didnt v child feel so what of them victims this is bad pls lets be responsible and think abt others. May God be with those mourning and may he also 4give those that have errored. In times like these turn to the LORD for guidance and help. God has his own ways let peace like a river prevail in jesus name we pray. Am mourning with you but remeber God gives and takes.Amen

  168. #177 Sorry about such a bad experience. Question to the forum. Is this tradition or just one bad element because I have heard of similar horror stories of the maternity ward. Advise 😕

  169. THIS BLOG IS WORTH BEING DOWN LOADED BY LT AND GIVEN TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH, FINANCE AND RB HIMSELF AND THEN WE CAN AWAIT THIER REACTION. HOW ABOUT THAT LT PLEASE.

  170. Surely how can Zesco cut power to such an important institution and live power to some these so called mayadi.Iam a mother and i feel the pain that my fellow woman is going through God will deal with them withuot realising it. MHSRIP

  171. I feel very sorry for the mother to baby M. Like that she will dread having another baby in future and I hope the husband will arrange a counsellor for her because for her to blog means it is really eating her up. I know how it feels, because It nearly happened to me and I demanded to have my baby when the sockets in UTH nursery started smoking and sparking but I never stopped praying when all this was happeing, even when the nurse was rude, I kept on obeying her and I never uttered any word even when she had irritated me by her taunting.

  172. What happened is indeed sad story,my question to all here is,what are we as zambians going to do about this, are we going to write and say sorry here and thats the end!!! i would love the Lusaka times to put up apage for us to sign and they should forward it to UTH and the Minister.The post should be given a copy, if they can create tasks forces for anything, then one is a must for this story.

  173. i feel like crying serious,its such a sad story,how on earth do u take some ones child to the mortury without telling her.wats happening to this country kashi,shud we all leave for greener pastures.no pipo,all these years what has chituwo been doing honestly,its not fair.lets all stand up and tell the goverment that we sick and tired of them.what a sad story

  174. At whatever cost UTH’s equipment should be upgraded. Mentality alsoneeds to change. This has been happening for a very long time. I really feel for the poor woman. I know of a lady who lost twins in a similar way. She was told the babies were incinerated. A year later her and her husband were told to come and collect their dead babies from the mortuary!!! Can you imagine the trauma the couple faced. Not a single apology came from UTH.

    Fair enough working conditions aren’t great for doctors and nurses but that doesn’t mean they should stop caring for patients. Some nurses are evil, believe me. Some should not choose nursing as a career.

  175. this article shud not end here,these are headline we shud be seeing in front of post and times.in case u dnt knw some baby in mansa had his nose eaten by rats,imagine mwabantu ba kwa lesa.i see no difference between zambia and zim

  176. Yes we can do something practical. Donate $5. $10 or K5000 to start legal action against UTH Management, Ministry of Health, Zesco and GRZ. Please, lets explore how we can do this.

  177. # 3, Idi You Tea, ilichipuba sana. Who told you that it is Nurse Job to ensure that there is electricity in the hospital. You do not know tha role of a Nurse.

    Do not comment if you do not know what you are talking about. Makaka, pumbafu lyobe

  178. It is a continuation of MWANAWASA’S LEGACY. We send relatives, friends and the all powerful and all mighty to South Africa who ccares about the poor. It is live and let die. THIS THE LEGACY THET CAMPAIGNED ON.

    Remember the saying ‘What goes up must come down’. Muka mona ‘imono’.

  179. #142 Doctor in diaspora,good points raised but my brother where did you get your info about ART adminstration in Zambia?I’m particularly concerned about your statement that Monotherapy and/or Dual therapy is being used in Zambia.ARV Old Regimens before the new 2007 guidelines in Zambia used to have two NRTIs,PLUS a third drug,which could be an NNRTI or PI.The Zambian regimens were carefully chosen and are based on WHO recommendations.The new 2007 guidelines still has Triple therapy like the old one both for the First Line & Second Line Regimens.AZT,by the way,is not in the First Line anymore but its among the Second Line combinations.Do you know why AZT is not used in the ‘developed world’?

  180. This is sickening news!!! These so called top dogs have different priorities. Imagine the cost of flying in a helicopter country wide campaining for votes against the cost of a generator.

    Awe sure!!!! backwardness pa Zed epo yaba kwena ye!!!

    I have no words, im mauless!!!

  181. 186 UMWINA KALALE:- Are saying because you dont have licience then it is ok to bribe someone. I am sorry but I have to differ with on this. Because it is small steps like this that make chaps behind the desk feel big. Tell him off. Make sure you have your documentation that you paid for your licence and you have the right to have it. I did that at the ministry of lands when one chap was expecting to be paid and I shouted until I got attention. Zambians were being called sleepy yesterday because sometimes we try to be too nice. I have had to call out someone today because they said “Tonga are dirty?” Such blank statements are untrue and to generalize is wrong.

  182. yaba,yangwe!!sad indeed,this time around,even Rashid Jones and VW can shake hands with me,it’s health issues again.Rashid and VW,hello gents.
    the story is heart breaking and sorry mum fo yo loss.hoever,ba LT,as the auther of the story or if there is a journalist who did so,certain issues shud have been cleared b4 posting the story here,it sounds very sensational.why?,we needed to have a comment from UTH by public relations officer,is it pauline bangweta,about the issue.as someone has earlier stated,UTH has had standby gens fo some time now fo strategic units like main ICU.theatres,and neonatal ICU.Yu shud have dug dipper as to what exactly happened on this day.pipo’s anger on this issue

  183. 245 LMP didnt start it. KK used send pipo to the UK in the 1980s and until things really got bad (economy). Chiluba started them. KKs stand to start doing annual medicals was his way of saying lets save cost and promote local doctors in the 80s.

  184. No use blaming ZESCO because they have become usless because of being run as a government wing..cant blame the nurses under those tough working conditions.The best we can all do is find solutions.This platform and some of the comments should be presented to these leaders…they never surf the net,they come from that generation!!lets find real leaders.The fact that so many people blogg here should tell you just where our hearts all are..even if they deny it.This ineed is a dark day.

  185. 249 Prophet there you go again. So this is how you hide issues at UTH by suggesting that the story should have been cleared. This is public information. UTH is a public institution that is funded by public tax payer funds. The public have the right to have their questions answered.

  186. PEOPLE, CRYING OR OFFERING CONDOLONCES IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH!! WE ZAMBIANS ARE DOCILE AND THAT’S WHY WE LET POLITICIANS BUILD THEIR NESTS ON OUR HEADS! WHEN ARE WE GOING TO CHANGE OUR WORK CULTURE! IF UTH HAS GENERATORS, WHY DID THEY CHOOSE NOT TO RUN ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY!!IF THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AND/OR HAD NO FUEL WHERE WERE THE RESPONSIBLE TECHINCIANS/PURCHASING OFFICERS TO ENSURE ALL WAS WELL!! THE ONLY WAY THAT THIS WILL NOT RECUR IS FOR US ZAMBIANS TO DECIDE THAT WE SHALL NOT BROOK NONSES- FIRSTLY BY WORKING HARDER THAN WE DO OURSELVES AND THEN MAKING SURE WE HOLD ACCOUNTABLE ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICE DELIVERY. IT’S TIME WE STARTED TO FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS!!

  187. frm 249,pipo’s anger on this issue is genuine,and if the whole UTH was in no power leading to loss of lives,certain pipo must answer the many questions fellow bloggers have raised,and must show cause why they shud continue to be in their positions of leadership.
    to my friends in journalism circles,this is one issue yu may need to show yo investigative journalism skills and help to be the mouth piece fo that mum and many others in her shoes.

  188. #251 LPM’s LEGACY was mother, brother, relatives, himself to South Africa. He even Chiluba and Sata the them sworn enermy to South Africa because he is one of the powerful. THAT IS THE LEGACY RB CAMPAIGNED ON and your relatives in Mwense, Isoka east and Senanga voted for. :)]8-x

  189. If this happens in the Big cities/capital cities general hospitals, lets consider places like shangombo and kasumpa. The situation/economy pa Zambia is just worsening day by day. Its so sad for the innocent souls. RIP 😮

  190. #257 I am now getting notion that you are a govt mouth piece. Are they paying for your trip to China? First it was ARVs and HIV testing & now someone has lost a family member. Maybe we should check you medical licience and see if you really passed those exams or you are just a figure head paid to say yes!!!!

  191. i just hate the incompetence of nurses pa zed. they just dont care.we cant learn from bazungu awe. its rare that ppl die because of minor things. manje mu zambia, its the order of the day. they can leave a person fighting for their life so ati nayenda ku lunch that wil last for 3 hrs.if they just acted like they cared, things would be a whole lot better,[-(

  192. #4 Chewe you have no feelings. After reading such a story all you can say is nambala 2. I wonder if u are a parent.

    This is a very sad development. We know Zesco has problems in supplying sufficient electricity but UTH is a very big institution to do its work without preparations for such eventualities. Some one must be answerable to this unacceptable level of negligence.
    To some extent we as Zambians are to blame. We are not very assertive, we don’t demand what is rightfully ours from our leaders. Where are the NGOs who claim to speak for the poor? Where are the church organizations that are so loud mouthed when it comes to politics?

  193. #260 If you were not there then then just know that thas what was going on. You are the sort of people who try to put heap of ill on the efforts of a good man. LPM was more good that you seem to notice. Change management is a difficult thing more when bad culture takes root. I see greater good in the LPM policies than the non sense you want to suggest about RB.

  194. Londoner, I think #3 was referring to the nurse who told the lady that she could see the baby the next day. The bedside manner of some nurses is awful. One is supposed to care for the patient not e.g. leave them lying in bed with faeces and urine sodden sheets;leave a patient who has fallen down on the floor for over 45 minutes. Nurse aren’t to blame for power failures but they way some treat patients is pathetic.

    The Post is on hate campaign targetting certain politicians but these are articles that should take centre stage.

    #239, you’re obviously a man and are cold hearted. You wait until you lose a child and easily replace the dead one with a new one as if life’s a toy.

  195. 248 VW
    THANKS FOR COMING IN MY LINE OF FIRING. UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT OF MY ARGUMENT BEFORE OFFLOADING YOUR ROTTEN SHOUTING ALTER EGO ON MY ANLYSIS.
    MY BLOG IS TO SHOW THAT LIFE HAS NO ALTERNATIVE, BUT CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHERE YOU ENCOUNTER INERTIA HAVE ALTENATIVES. IF YOU ARE DEAD CAN YOU SHOUT AS YOU DID AT LANDS, BUT YOU COULD HAVE NOT BEEN ATTENDED TO OR BE FRUSTRATED BY INERTIA OR INACTION TO AN EXTENT WHERE MAYBE YOU COULD HAVE BRIBED. DEATH IS NO ALTENATIVE TO LIFE, DID YOU GET THAT. YOU DON’T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BEREAVED WAS MY POINT YOU IMBICILE.

  196. VW, yu misunderstand my view point again,did not say the storry shud have been cleared by uth or whoever,rather certain issues like the presence or abscence of gens shud have come clear.if the kabwata zesco substation or office is responsible fo power supply to UTH,it wud have been better to get a comment frm them as to what happened,further more with dates at hand, LT or the journalist shud have gone to D11 and get facts etc.this is what we need,VW and it’s what i meant.

  197. #266 Zambian your suggestion is what we were refering earlier. Why should Zesco allow loadsheding to happen at UTH? Loadsheding is not a new thing. It was used in the 80s & 90s when there was draught. UTH, Arakan barakas, and other strategic places were never affected. It was at this time that we first heard of the back generators being replace at UTH. Please let not support poor culture. Tommorow it could be you in ICU.

  198. This article makes sad reading. It speaks for many who suffer silently. Painfully it is the reality of life in many of our hospitals, Health Centres and Clinics.

    Does the country have to kill more babies until our leaders’ wives are in the same predicament?

    The cost of treatment done in SA for some of our leaders headaches simple generators.

  199. The title is not correct LT. It should read THE INCOMPETENCE OF MMD GOVERNMENT UNDER CHILUBA, MWANAWASA AND BANDA. OR THE FAILURE OF MMD 🙂 Next time vote wisely OK Nafulwa sana, nkalipa maningi. Sorry mami.

  200. 271 prophet: Agian you exhibit naiviety. Do you think that if there was no negiligence we would not have heard from them? Who in their right mind will even come out now after the milk is spilt? Alife stated here is only one but there could be more. Over this blog we have a number of people air their discontent about occurances at UTH that give the picture of inhumanity of staff. Sorry but the attitude and stand you took on Saturday just shown that you seem to find it ok.

  201. :)] Hallo, my Nigerian investors? =)) I think you should come quickly because these Zambians are troubling me. Tomorrow? Okey :d You see? investors are the sorution and I am working vely hard with Levy’s legarcy :d

  202. Zondiwe…do want to be the editor or what? We want to hear positive things that come out bad issues. Rashid Jones called Zambians sleepy yesterday. Bceause the likes of you want to talk about spelling when people are doing wrong things and dying

  203. I think its too much guys.This government is taking us for granted.How could the life of a poor baby just go like that.And this is just an ice beack of the more wrong things that are happening because of negligence.where is an mmd cadre here? Come out and you will hear what you have never heard.I mean this is very sad.Baby c how are you?

  204. While it is true that some of these events are beyond nurses, their attitude should change. The problem we have is some of these nurses are in wrong fields – they are there because their relatives found them places in nursing schools.

    At the same time the government cannot not be blamed because we have the power to remove, but it seems we are pleased with whatever comes from government – even rigging elections.

  205. #267 VW. Keep cool. LPM was only said to be good after his death. He was useless as far as I am concerned. He travelled like no other president before him did, failed to usher in a new constitution, applied fight on corruption selectively (Kashiwa bulaya as an example)which took forever. Answered to every criticism publicly. remember the family tree, Mukelebayi’s case. What is there to show for the 7 years apart from rural electrification of Chibombo? let me not keep writing until January 2209.[-(

  206. I can’t believe i am Zambian and reading this story. I am at a loss of words. Let’s not wait for the government to come to our aid. Why don’t citizens form a committee to raise funds and rescue UTH. It’s us who are suffering while the politicians go to Morningside and plush clinics in France. Good news is that they come back dead. God has a way of making people realise that we are all equal in his eyes.

  207. My sister my heart goes out to you! May God continue to comfort you! Those of us that are parents stand united to only imagine the pain you’ve endured!

  208. #267 Until LPM died his relative was the minister of Health one Brian Chituwo. You mean he did not call him even once to tell him about the goings on at UTH. WAKE UP, CARRY A PLACARD GO AND DEMONSTRATE FOT THE SAKE OF THIS CHILD.

  209. #273 cont…The cost of treatment done in SA for sme of our leaders’ headaches can buy generators for our health institutions. The question is whether the Members of parliament are interested in pursuing this issue including the Minister of Health.

    #255 The fact that this issue is being discussed tells that Zambian on the ground are not as docile as you want the world to believe. This voice of a lone poor woman cries out to the likes of Mogao to help her push the case. How shall we help to curb baby M’s cases? is the major question at hand for those at home and those in the diaspora.
    May the little angel – Baby M pray that this case be thoroughly invistigated.

  210. Zondiwe…stop personalizing your hate here. LPM is dead Chituwo is nolonger minister of Health so what is your point? That you are some card carrying lumpen? It is chaps like you who misplace your direction and vote for chaps like RB!!!

  211. But he was untill November. He should have sorted it. may be the new one will. How much are they paying you to defend these moron VW? Nimfulwa!!!!!! -l:-l

  212. Bo Musyalike. Please follow my arguement. I am NOT AGAINST buying generators. I am for them and their maintance. There are certain sectors that are sensitive and all Hospitals NOT just UTH should be given attention as they are a matter of life & death. Zondiwe seems to want to argue about who statred sending people abroad like it has any significance here. However, I am pointing to him that even if that is his argurement it is wrong. Cause his facts are WRONG!

  213. No. 246 you seem to be an expert in the medical field. Please answer my question. Some people in Zambia are talking about some chicken farmers feeding ARV’s to their chicken to make them grow faster making more profit quickly.I have heard that story several times now. Has anyone else heard stories like this? If this is true it is really a danger for the whole poultry industry here. And we should only buy chicken and eggs from people we know who are reliable. This is really scary. Can someone please enlighten me here. Thxs.

  214. so fo yu VW,it’s the staff at fault.search deeper my friend,yu might try to hang that poor nurse fo the problem she had no power over,nothing will change provided we continue to have shortcut answers like the ones yo trying to offer by looking at staff as the ones at fault. go after big fish baba,MOH/GRZ, fo it is upon GRZ to provide minimum acceptable health stds fo its pipo.we shud demand as a pipo fo certain social and health infrastructures fo our coomon good.VW,atleast on our part we tried to strike in 1998,calling fo conducive working environment,alas we’re paraded in open vans to lsk central police and later fired,shame!surely, am not as naive as yu think i am,VW.

  215. #293 I have also heard stories of ARV given to chickens .Now this issue the government must establish the true . I think it is highy time we started buying village chickens

  216. the story of baby m makes sad reading. no one can understand the pain that the parents of tnis precious child and many silent voices went through. I just need to remind my fellow zambians that we need to change our attitude on how we do things. Such things should never be allowed to continue to happen. As a country we are blessed with so many natural resources but when you look at our public institutions, they leave much to be desired. this calls for seriousness in the manner we manage public affairs. it all starts with gthe people we elect to manage our affairs.this casual approach to things is killing us.

  217. The other night it was an innocent man who was shot by policemen on his door step, then a baby died from eating poisonous tubers because of hunger( and Minister Guston MOcked this). This is barely aweek after a baby’s nose was eaten by rats …… kant king ze eza hala mwa Zambia! whats happening? fellow bloggers be assured that i will start a petition, and we will submit it to the POst and the ministry of health thru DR. Canisius Banda.
    pliz support it and lets not just blog and vent our anger and it ends there. Yours ‘GaZZie’

  218. As fo Booze,i don’t think ARVs are given to chickens,they are very expensive drugs to be used as chicken feed commercially.ARVs have no growth homes or antibiotic effects as most chicken feeds have,maybe pipo figuratively say that to imply other issues.

  219. Yah sad indeed.I hope zambians still remember the action taken by our only brave police officer who decided to show the country that it is painful to lose a child in asituation of negligence by govt and nurses or nosence.The officer was insulted by all section of our society eg parliament,znbc,ngos……and yet we forget that we react to acts.JOHN LOCKE 1620-1704 once said’,”when the accepted ways of doing things can not make sense,those things should be discarded,by force.”All those that insult withiot considerations,should know that it takes a revolution sometimes to mend a solution.The govt cannot listen unless we react to their acton.

  220. Zimbabwean situation is beter off. How many babies died in that ward/s on that fateful dark night??? 100 or 300 babies?? Great loss that need serious attention.

    Meanwhile the President and his MPs are relaxing in laxurious hotels accross the Globe only to back obese and flown to South Africa for thier treatment of lungs,liver,pancreas,strocks,hearts,Bp,ears,nose,legs,intestines,anus,gull bladers,veins etc etc

    Ours we share with rats infested wards.

  221. STOP blogging go to google-find human rights groups in zed and bombard them with emails like i have been doing since i read this, otherwise YOUR WORDS WILL JUST ROT HERE! if u r really as concerned as your blogging sounds

  222. In the UK,and I guese the USA, disatisfied patients sue hospitals. I suggest that the bereaved family sue UTH. It is the repsonsibility of UTH management to ensure that the hospital has power. Suing UTH will not be for compensation but a wake up call to UTH management that it is cheaper to instal power generators than to incur legal penalties. Tax payers deserve better for their hard work.

  223. My heart goes to the mother of Baby M. I am walking in your shoes right now cos I know How it feel to lose a child. Death of a child at any age is traumatising, the pain is so intense and overwhelming. Everything comes to a stand still and its forever the pain, the anger, the frustrations, the crying, the knowing that your child will never return or knock on your door. I have shed a million tears after reading your story, the pain you went through when walking to D block with your drip trying to check on your child OH My God!, I feel your pain and crying with you my dear sister, how I wish I could meet you and link you to a group of grieving parents. LT can I contact you for the same.

  224. #304 did u not read that she has no money to throw at lawyers?do u think lawyers in zed just come by lets help this cause please people don’t just sit blogging there internet is there for a reason search out solutions!

  225. I am with the parents of the departed little ones in grief.

    How does one value and weigh human life?.Is the life of a 73 year old more valuable than the life of a premature baby?.

    Yet according to the lord all life is equal.The lives of prostitutes,thieves,defillers,professors,engineers,drunkards,louts,
    busyboodies,priests,reverends.nuns,deacons,are all the same.
    Afterall we all began as a drop of liquid from our fathers scrotums.

  226. Ladies and Gentlemen,

    The electricity that is meant for homes and hospitals goes to the mines and these mines are /or they where making US$ billions of profits. Those profits have gone out of Zambia that is why we are seeing such things in Zambia. In my opinion, we don’t have visionary leaders yet that is why such things can be happening in a wealthy country like Zambia.

  227. #309 These same mine investors are ones who should coming with powerful generators for their mine use. Why should we Zambian suffer at an expense of investors???? Akulu mpuno look into this matter.

  228. Cont’d from 309

    I just don’t understand why the government can’t use solar power as back up of a back up like a generator. The entire UTH and other hospitals across the country can use free energy from the sun. I’m sure they roof tops of UTH can host lots of solar panels and I’m sure room can be found somewhere around the complex to have solar farms filled with huge solar panels that can draw energy from the sun which then acts as back up or alternative electricity source. This technology can save many lives and we should not be hearing of such stories because of power cuts.

  229. #Anonymous 52,55,58,60,64,65,68,69,85,88,95,98,301

    Blaming govt will not help it is an inanimate object.I leant a long time ago that there is always somebody responsible.
    UTH has a resident engineer and uth has back generators. The questions are
    Why did the back up generators not kick-in when power went.Was it the the generators were faulty.If so why was the fault not detected? Who is responsible for the effective operation of the generators?

  230. #307 True Liberal, thanks.

    I thought we had Legal Aid in Zambia. Isn’t it there to help those who don’t have money.

    If she sued UTH and got the support of Zambians, who knows, some well wishers could contribute funds towards the cause.

    May be the Consumers Association of Zambia and other charities championing the cause of service consumers could support her. UTH is a service privider. There must be some help for the poor within Zambia. What are all those NGOs about?

  231. #314 Golyati – you are spot on.

    That’s why i raised the issue of suing UTH in #304. The questions you raised could be answered during court hearings. If Govt has given UTH money to instal generators, then UTH managment should be charged for negligence.

    The fact that UTH cares for our patients does not mean they are angels and whatever they do is right. We must make them answerable. It is our tax money they live on. We sweat for these health services. they are not free, we pay for them. Sue the UTH management for negligency and incompetence.

  232. THey are one and the same and dont recognize that they have separate functions. Secondly, suing the state/UTH/Zesco is an uphill battle maybe zesco she may get somewhere but they will go around it by saying that they had informed the public about load shedding. Maybe that is why govt is quiet. 307#

  233. #315 she should sue the UTH which is why I have blogging even though people here have pretended not to read what i have said, seek out NGO’s and email them on behalf of this woman if we can make enough noise, it will be heard but we’d rather continuing blogging on LT and say i don’t know what to do instead of dashing to MR GOOGLE to find NGO n try to make more people aware.

  234. Dancing, dancing and dozing is all they know. What do you expect? These are the results of putting nyama soyas in power. My condolences to the mother of baby M

  235. APOLOGY TO THE FAMILY
    MY TRUE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH UTH:I had a simple allegic problem in zambia for 8 year after being refered to UTH.The only thing the doctors could do for me was to give me piritonfor 8 years.Fortunately i went to stay in EUROPE where upon presenting my problem the DRS asked me were i was coming from and if we had doctors.i agreed but this doctor told me that in zambia we may have Doctors only on papers.Iwas given one week medication and the problem dissapeared for one year now.so in zambia,its not only hospital staffs that are not qualified moraly but the govt.also.

  236. I WONDER IF PRESIDENT BANDA HAS READ THIS.HONESTLY MR EDITOR FIND A WAY TO MAKE THIS MATTER REACH HIM.I KNOW ALL COMMENTS RELATED TO GOING TO STATE HOUSE AND AND OF POWER INTEREST REACH HIM FASTER AND I HOPE THIS WILL THROUGH YOU…………

  237. #322 doctors in Zambia are VERY well qualified in fact westerners get surprised but its not their fault they have to make do with what’s available in the hospital they can’t give u medication that is not there can they?So they will give u what they have.

  238. Incompetent personel at U.T.H. My wife gave birth to our baby in darkness on 20th January 2008, the first night of load shedding. The doctor who was there even burned my wife right thigh with a candle. I really feel Govt. should be employing people who have dedicated themselves to that kind of work other than people who just want jobs because they don’t have anything else to do. :((:((:((:((

  239. #266, Zambian i read the story after i said numbala 2. No normal person can rush in saying number 1 or 2 after reading such a sad story.

  240. This may sound untrue but I went through this way back in the day when my first child died hours after birth. Very health, and todate I cant still understand what happedned. I went in early that morning to see how wife and baby were doing only to find that my child had died in the night and nobody knew about. I was made to hastely bury the child. What ever happened God know.

  241. It’s interesting to note that this is not restricted to the government hospitals alone. I have heard of numerous cases of negligence in the private clinics too.

    Many of the ladies around here will confess that, whilst they undertake perfect antenatal sessions in private clinics, the moment any complication springs up during labour they are quickly rushed to UTH.

    What’s even worse is that the private clinics claim to have “a reputation to protect” and would any chance of a fatality is avoided by transferring challenging cases to UTH.

    Another related area of concern is the fact that 90% of the pharmaceutical companies are run by (and i’m not trying to be discriminatory her), indians.

  242. This is not about the nurses! This is about Adminstrators (Minister and Management at Health Institutions)who have enough sense to make sure they install generators at their homes and yet do not have the decency to ensure the same is done at these critical places! Mama – we mourn for baby M and for the sake of baby M, I pray that we can act on her message and set our priorities right. God help us.

  243. #293 Booze. Such stories are there but I’m not in a position to tell you if its true such things are happening.I can only speculate and my speculations are that its possible.
    #299 Prophet, ARVs might be very expensive elsewhere but in Zambia people are accessing ARVs for free and this could partly explain why abuse of such expensive drugs is possible in our country.If you know of anyone buying ARVs in Zambia pls advise them to stop wasting their money and go any govt hosp or clinic for free treatment.
    We can only hope these free ARVs will continue for some time to come because in other countries they’re very expensive.

  244. #322. Let me join hands with #325 in defending the clinical competence of our medical personnel. History has shown us that given the necessary tools and proper work environment, our health personnel have won accolades in service delivery be it in the sub-region or beyond. Do not get bogged down with a simple anti-allergy treatment which you had received while in Europe and which may not have been available at U.T.H.- a scenario envisaged almost on a daily basis..
    :-c:-c

  245. #322.SHAKAME MWANA What do you mean by “simple allergic problem”? Tell us what diagnosis the doctors there in EUROPE gave to your condition and what medication they prescribed for you. I hope it was not the blankets you were using in Zambia that were causing that problem of yours coz I’m beginning to think your change of blankets could have done the trick!Its good you’re fine man/woman but don’t degrade your Zambian doctors coz some of those docs in those European countries were classmates to some of your Zambian docs at some point in time.
    When you get back to Zambia also remember to be washing your clothes regularly-the allergy might have been in your enviroment!
    😮

  246. this is a sad story indeed, my haert is breeding condolences my dear sister, oneday we shall overcome this pain we are going threw GOD is the over seer everything has its own time [-(

  247. Bane this is indeed a very sad story, there are even worse things happening not only at UTH but also other health centres in the country. Get a comment from MOH Spokesperson Dr Canisius Banda (Not related to RB).
    Anyway guys stop expressing disappointments and complaints, why cant you fight to be in decision making positions and rectify all this. Im taken aback with pipo only talking you are Zambians and above 21 run for public office during elections and effect change.

  248. :)] Hallo ! Please don’t disturb me. I am wooing investors. It is the sorution to all our ploblems! :)] Hallo?! Ama investors ! Ni pa kwanja chabe ! =)) Yes please! b-) Absolutley b-) Okey ! You see :d Next week I will be flying out to meet more investors! :d

  249. #246. Anatola IV
    I agree with the Doctor in diaspora.
    I have relatives who may have been prescribed the drugs but they are not available as a combination so they practically end up with one or two drugs only. PIs are best when boosted but not available in that form. Apparently, drug resistance is measured at Dr N…’s diagnostic centre for a handsome amount.
    However, we look at it, Zambian healthcare has been a disaster for a very long time. The sad thing is those well off and careful to avoid HIV, become obese and die of stroke or diabetes or road traffic accidents. Lifespan is still less than 40 years. At 50 you are ‘ba mudala!’

  250. #213 INSAKA I feel pity with you because youb did not understand what wrote earlier on. I brought four main points in my submission. First I am wondering the originality of this story because of the way it is written. Secondly, it seems to be exciting the public to raise against nrses which I do not support. The third point is that the affected family or person must take the issue to UTH Management and the GRZ. The last is encouraging the voters including the affected person to think of changing govt by voting wisely so that another govt can take the health care forward.Now what is wrong with such contributions? If you do not understand what wrote it is not my problem. let God forgive you

  251. CAN THIS CASE BE FOLLOWED UP BY THE CONCERNED HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS SO THAT UTH AND GRZ CAN BE INDICTED FOR “GENOCIDE”. THIS IS TO SERIOUS TO BE IGNORED BY ANY ONE. EVEN I HAVE A SMALL GENERATOR FOR BACK UP AT HOME. HOW CAN UTH FAIL TO ANTICIPATE THIS SCENARIO.

    SUCH A THING CAN NOT EVEN HAPPEN IN ZIMBABWE. IMAGINE IF THIS WAS HAPPENING IN ZIM, MOST OF YOU BLOGGERS WOULD HURL ALL SORTS OF UNPRINTABLES AT MUGABE. NOW, THERE WE ARE. WHAT WOULD MR BROWN SAY, WITH ALL THE SO CALLED DONOR GOODWILL.

    DONORS SHOULD GIVE MONEY STRAIGHT TO INSTITUTIONS AND NOT THROUGH THE GOVT MINISTRY. IT WILL NEVER WORK, THIS NOSENSE OF ALIGNMENT PROCLAIMED IN PARIS. GRZ CANNOT SIMPLY DO IT!!

  252. This is such a sad story. I cried when I read this. over 40 years inndependence so that a mother can watch her shild die through lack of seriousness on the part of govt. I realise that it is a nationla management and hospital management issue and not one to blame on the part of the healthcare staff, but really, can we say that the nurses exhibited good patient manner? I had a friend whose baby died 2 years ago in UTH. The nurses were unbeievable! She didn’t even get to hold that child. Do we fail to teach these people sympathetic and good bedside manner? It is so painful to lose a child you have carried for 9 months. That mother should have been given a chance to say goodbye to her child.

  253. Indeed where is Zed heading to???my sister thanks for taking a bold step by sharing this,,,so touching,,cant help it,,,,ha mwelesa,,,now take another bolder step by goig to MUVI TV and share the same,,i tuk my daughter for medical chek ups,i was told to go back after 2 days,,when i went there,,aaa the blood sample had gone missing,,,,,Bushe mwe ba Bwezani Government what are you doing???dancing and appointing pipo….

  254. #340. Tula Twabane
    Did you know that there are so many well qualified Zambians who can do a better job than many of the current and past politicians? The problem is the patronage system of politics in Zambia. You cannot join a party that is literally funded from one man’s pockets because they treat it as private property. Any dissenting view is met with dismissal rather than debate. Prof. Chirwa was humiliated by LPM. The so called ‘who do you think you are attitude?’ is a killer for participation.

  255. #314 you made some sense.Everyone knows UTh has generators. Its not about the Govn’t but being responsible. There is no hospital which has no problems in this world.The person in charge of maintenance should be sacked immediately and the area MP should resign for not being responsible. Its not the Govn’t, doctor or the nurses at wrong but the engeering team.

  256. it is not just about the incompetence of the government, hospital administrators but also the lack of compassion of the staff. there are hand ventilators that could be used to save the life of even one child but if there was no one to escort the mother the night of the incident, it means the nurses did not even bother to go and look at the kids and this is shameful. I supposed black life is useless even among our own. here the government has US50K to buying new car for the likes of Chiluba etc but have no muney to take care of its people? RB is wasting money to go and assist onther country with their problems while his own is falling apart…

  257. My cousin’s baby died in similar circumstances some years back when Sata was Health minister and there was no load shedding. Let us fight this kind of management at all cost. My deepest symphathy goes to the mother of Baby M. Its a touching story.

  258. God Almighty is definately watching. We r paying those chaps in govt and UTH from our poor-salaries all they do is MURDER! Well,their turn (each one) will come their way SOON, somehow. GOD WILL VISIT THOSE KILLERS,ONE DAY SOON!

  259. #337 YOU are one of the corrupted officials in the MMD that has brought this country down.It could be sensible for u to mention the dirt water as the cause to my problem.FEBBLE MINDED MOROON FROM THE CAVES.

  260. #349 You can’t say that staff have no compassion, if you look at the ratio of one doctor or nurse to patients is unbelieve. They work under stress and still do the job.sometimes you don’t just blame people but look at your self and put your self in that positon. They doing a recommendable job considerating their work environment.

  261. this points to comments during our last election when many was saying management type has no place in politics… well this is to prove that a good leader need not be carismatic but he or she must be an excelent manager tht is willing to hold people accountable and that was what a person like Magande represented and hence his being sidelined. people that are placed in office must be accountable to the people.

  262. # 355, my mother is Zambian and my father is Jamaican, I have lived in both countries while growing up, they are both poor countries but i kidd you not when i tell you that the Jamaicans would not allowed anything like to happen, if they had to take people off the streets to employ hand ventilators that is what they would do, so my question is if one poor country can guard against such things why cant Zambia?

  263. this is just a level of incompetence up and down the chain that is unacceptable and people should be outraged.

  264. Pity, this happened. Pity too that seems nobody gonna do something about it. Thanks for sharing this with us. There are no shockers, scandals etc., in Africa these days, God help us.

  265. #358 to answer your question. There is a big problem in zambia because to there is much wapa mwamba if you understand that.

  266. I feel like my heart is on fire. Dios mio! What a said experiencia. Why should people start increasing their salaries when we don´t even have a generator to save the lives of our people? Awe chabulanda sana. My the Almight God receive the souls of the inoncent babies who died on that day.

  267. This is a very sad story, a big story that should not have been hidden only to be told today. I guess the mothers and even the fathers of the baby knew where The Post is to tell this story so that something immediate could be done. Am sad, sad, sad sad. It should never happen again. I blame Zesco. Zesco does not touch electricity supply to Chiluba and Kaunda’s residences but they have the mind to touch institutions where life between one and zero? Zesco should surely be restructured. This story should not die but something should be done. This is a story that would have sparked immediate demos

  268. #292 Mulumeleni sha bo VW. Litumezi ahulu for your comments. The issue at hand is that Angel baby M’s case is a wake call for all concerned. UTH has generators, why were they not switched on on that particular day? Baby M’s mother is crying for help to follow up this case. Would you know of any reliable lawyer or legal service where this grieving mother can turn to? Other lives will be saved if this is tackled.
    Are Zambians docile in such situations? Le the masses speak out.

  269. unfortunately NO one is going to respond to all these comments with a solution, they know zambians we are sleepy, more lives are going to be lost even when we pay TAX

  270. Innocent people dying and you keep funding thieves to go to South Africa? Get all the money from the thieving Chiluba and invest in UTH. This really makes my heart bleed. And you have another thief Chungu bullying magistrates like that? Where is mother zambia headed to? We need to be vigilante or we shall be worse than Zimbabwe. Please beat up Chungu and Chiluba whereevr you see them, they are the major cause of all this misery.

  271. OMG…I have no words. Thats really sad. My condonlences my sister. But who is in charge of UTH anyways? Honestly such occurances due to negligence can be avoided…awe it’s really sad.

  272. This is very sad. Can someone notify Sata about this. He will make sure this is heard by the the authorities and only then we might get some answers.

  273. My fellow zambians, let us come together as one and think of a solution. we should talk less,lets think and act…talking wont take us any further because we will keep taking, while the babies will keep dying. instead of wasting our time adding comments and uploading videos on youtube, let us come together and act upon what has happened.other countries are developing while we r here commenting, let us fight this issue..if you can take time to comment, y cant you also take some time to appeal to the ministry of health about this problem, they will not see these comments we are adding..this is a sad story, i agree with everyone but let us act.we r tired of all these disasters.1 zambia 1 nation

  274. Well i am believing Gof for all the money that has ever been missappropriated from independence in all sectors till today to be returned in Jesus name. I am believing God for a strong conviction in our country, this money will be returned and will be channelled in the right ventures. There is a god in heaven who sees everything done in darkness. Whoever has missappropriated funds have not done it to Zambians but to the God in heaven who cares for all ordinary Zambians, those that have died from treatable diseases, hunger etc. God has blessed Zambians with resources and a day of reckoning is coming for every missappropriator.Enough is enough. God bless Zambia.

  275. Well i am believing God for all the money that has ever been missappropriated from independence in all sectors till today to be returned in Jesus name. I am believing God for a strong conviction in our country, this money will be returned and will be channelled in the right ventures. There is a God in heaven who sees everything done in darkness. Whoever has missappropriated funds have not done it to Zambians but to the God in heaven who cares for all ordinary Zambians, those that have died from treatable diseases, hunger etc. God has blessed Zambians with resources and a day of reckoning is coming for every missappropriator.Enough is enough. God bless Zambia.

  276. I would encourage you to put this in the newspapers for all to see. Its really a shame that people are dying when others are having dinners and flying all over the world. It is such a shame that a country cannot even maintain one hospital, just one.

    I would also encourage everyone who is educated or has any ounch of care for the poor to seek office in government. We cannot have incompetent people running the country.

  277. I don’t know what happened to the generators UTH had.D block,theatres,labour ward and PICU had back up generators.The ventilators have back up batteries which can last for 48 hours if there is no power.I remember one time we wanted to bury a 3weeks old baby and we had bought the coffin but eldres told us that traditional a baby less than a month is not buried in the coffin and the mother is not supposed to witness the burial.Its sads that things have gone from bad to worse at UTH.Govt is to blame.The public should protest.The doctors had gone on strike to demand for better equipment.They were fired and no one complained yet they wanted better hospitals for every zambian.

  278. I am really sorry to read about this unfortunate event. What I would like to to the UTH Management is:

    Why does the CEO of UTH get paid?
    What are his measures of success/Failure, assuming such words have meaning to his (Mis)Management team.

    I woud like to believe that UTH has motor vehicles personal to holders inclusive. The cost of generators for each critical Ward/Unit is not too much to obtain, if the trade-off was just a single PTH vehicle.Fellow bloggers, is it imposible to deploy a solar system over the entire roof of the Mortuary, in order to run the cooling system? I may be out of touch with reality, but cant the Finance Director source funding for a generator/Solar system

  279. #352,I’m glad you atleast got my point that the irritant for your allegged allergic problem could have been in your enviroment and your guess at dirt water could be true.The good news is that you are fine although I would have still loved to know what diagnosis was reached at for your condition and what medication worked for you.
    #342,What in particular do you agree with Doctor in diaspora?I agree with him on a number of issues he raised but what I don’t agree with him is his assertions that Mono or Dual therapy is being used in Zambia and also wanted to find out from him why he thinks AZT should no longer be used in Zambia.

  280. #342,If your relatives had a triple therapy prescribed for them but for some reason couldn’t get all the prescribed drugs,will it be right then for you to say they’re using mono or dual therapy in Zambia?We are told that even FDCs will soon be available or maybe they’re already in use and if that be the case,the question one or two drugs missing from the combination will no longer arise.
    I wanted the doc to respond over the AZT issue he raised but since you’ve brought yourself in the firing range can you then tell us why AZT should be abandoned in Zambia?I want to know because in clinical trials AZT has shown the best results in decreasing MTCT(mother to child transmission).

  281. Cont…
    For the reason above AZT is being used in Zambia’s PMTCT program.From what I know,AZT is not a good choice in any of the following situations:
    * Patient is likely to be resistant to AZT
    * Severe anaemia(<8g/dL)

    Bottom line is no one is restricted to a combination containing AZT because the selection of which cocktail of drugs to put one on is done on a patient to patient basis with WHO guidelines.Let me hear your views apart from the common ‘i agree with…’ statement common on this forum.

  282. The money Zambians are spending sending one Jacob Titus Chiluba for medical tourism to RSA is enough to buy state of the art generators for UTH and other hospitals. Wake up Zambians.

  283. Fellow Zambians, this is indeed very sad. I cannot blame nurses. It is MMD GOVT to pay the price particularly Vernon Mwaanga (the election rigger).
    To my sister who lost the baby, please consider legal action against UTH management. A generator is not too expensive for a place like UTH. A serious Govt could get generators for every district health establishment.
    Please take legal action. Set a presidence.

  284. #352. SHAKAME MWANA,I don’t mind you calling me a moroon or anything coz that won’t change who I am so can you now respond to my questions:What was the diagnosis & medication you received?PERIOD!I’m sorry if I’m asking for too much beyond what you can handle.I’m not a politician so lets restrict ourselves to the medical issues you raised. Thank you.

  285. nursing is a frustrating job to those that are not called for the job.This issue of poverty will kill us in zambia.People have no career choices,whatever comes thereway they take it,hence alot of uncompassionate people are running our hospitals.This whole blame goes back to our incomptetent rotten government,full of wankstars and jerkers

  286. December 11, 2008 – LT

    “Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking people in northern province, who was recently evacuated to South Africa for specialist treatment after illness, is recovering well……

  287. I had no idea that this story would end this way. It is with deep saddness that i comment on this story. My condolonces to all the famillies that lost future leaders due to POWER FAILURE!!!!!
    What a disgrace….
    I wonder why we are so backward, why is nothing been done about it, surely someone should be held responsible at the so called ZESCO and at the LARGEST hospital in zambia for failure to have generators. Why hasnt the government atleast inspected these public health institutions to have generators if they know that ZESCO usually fails us.? Is it because they do not feel the effects of power cuts or load shedding because they live in big houses with generators?

  288. To imaggine that we are paying taxes each monthend, paying VAT each day from groceries that should get back to us in social welfare service…OMG!!! Government should be sued for this really….the employer of the health care provider should be sued to ensure its services and service providers are up to grade with saving life and ensure wellbeing. Why should i wish never to be in UTH where is the Zambian identity, Zambian appreciated service……PUBLIC SERVICE is non existant in Zambia. SHAME

  289. Somebody got to pay for this,we need to find out the hierachy of responsibilities and who slept in the process of excuting their duty. Somebody got to be responsible for those generators. I don’t believe in wild allegations! Somebody must be responsible for the “11/11 INFANTCIDE” Lets go get them!

  290. #352. There’re a number of environmental factors besides host factors that could predispose someone to an allergic rxn. The host factors in you, which is a macrocosm of your genetic make-up, have not changed in the least since you relocated to Europe. It is possible that the environmental component may be at play here, a factor well articulated by #337. We all know that some people react to house mite(nsanya),cockroaches(anyandule),pollen, wool,foodstuff etcetera – one of which may have been a causal agent in your case while you were in Zambia. Now, would such good advise warrant name-calling? Nop! Just tell us the diagnosis for your allergy and the wonder drug that cured u…:-c:-c

  291. Oh My God! I can not even begin to imagine the pain that these women have experienced! This is just horribly insane, for lack of a better term. Jesus, what is going on in Zambia, sure?

    I just want to express my Heartfelt Condolences to all the mothers that lost their babies on that fateful night! “May Your Little Angels’ Souls Rest In Eternal Peace” and “May the Good Lord Comfort You All in his Own Special Way”

  292. zambia needs to be turned upside down this nonesense should stop!and i will be back in zambia with more fire to impact my people!zambia shall be the country we promised it will be at independence!zambia is not personal to holder car its land of people who own it rightfully!babies have the right to life!my sincere condolances to the grieved families……… GOD BLESS ZAMBIA

  293. Mother of Baby M.

    I care and I will get down to the bottom of this case. This should not be happening in Zambia, not now not any more. I will not leave any stone unturned and will broadcast my findings on air on the Saturday December 20th at 15:00 hrs Zambian Time. Please, feel free to contact me and we will see how we can help. [email protected]

  294. Its times like these that am ashamed to be Zambian..am at a loss for words, I just pray that God above will give all the mothers who lost their precious bundles comfort and that He in His infinite wisdom will met out the punishment desrved by those who allowed such a dispeckable thing to happen

  295. God Forbid, I blame the system! Where do you take the Tax payers money? Misplaced Priorities that’s the right word for this.

  296. my heart wipes as i read this massage.as a mother i know how it feels like to look forward to hold yr baby and to see her grow after birth.my condolences.this should be the beinging for all the women to fight for better conditions at the matenity ward,d block etc.in the mean time our govt is spending money on the ncc and increasing salaries for ministers who have no intreast for the zambian people.wake up zambians these are the things you should remember when you are voting and not packets of shake shake and 20pins.

  297. We have a bunch of *diots leading this nation. They have just increased their salaries inspite of reduced revenue from copper sales and expect us to see babies dieing like this?? May God help us.

  298. People don’t keep blaming RB for all the UTH problems,he has just become the big boss.The people to blame are Miti simon ,Chituwo because these are the experts in this field who should have advised the govt. ages ago about emergency generators.

  299. Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my website so i came to go back the desire?.I am trying to to find issues to improve my web site!I suppose its good enough to use some of your ideas!!

  300. My thoughts and my deepest condolences to the mother of baby M, It’s so sad that in a modern Zambia, not even one health administrator, director, chief nurse could have looked at the problems of load shedding and put in place measures that could prevent our dear mothers, their infants and family at large going through such preventable deaths. It’s not the nurses who are on the wrong side as observed, although we nurses are culprits for any political and management discrepancies because our job is to save life, but if the power cut happened without their knowledge little could have been done. But nurses are advocates for patients, we are a voice for our patients and a strategy should be in place since the tragedy. I find it so very wrong for health care professionals to take bodies of…

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