By Burnett Munthali
Balaka District Hospital experienced a fire incident on Friday that has prompted swift action from hospital authorities and attention from political leaders.
Health Promotion Officer Marcy Nyirenda confirmed that the fire affected a building that was still under construction at the time of the incident.
According to Nyirenda, the building was being temporarily used to store scrap materials.
She emphasized that the hospital acted quickly by informing the fire department to help put out the blaze.
Speaking to Malawi24, Nyirenda assured the public that no casualties have been reported as a result of the fire.
She also noted that health services at the facility have not been disrupted despite the incident.
Nyirenda added that the District Health Office (DHO) is yet to conduct a full assessment to determine the extent of the damage.
The DHO is also expected to launch an investigation to uncover the cause of the fire.
Shortly after the fire was brought under control, UTM leader Dr. Dalitso Kabambe visited the hospital to assess the situation personally.
His visit underscores the significance of the incident and the concern it has raised among stakeholders in the health and political sectors.
Despite the scare, the hospital continues to operate normally, with officials urging calm as they work to establish the facts surrounding the blaze.
