MALAWI: Earthquake survivors treated in hospital

Record ID: 489844

  • Title: MALAWI: Earthquake survivors treated in hospital
  • Date: 27th December 2009
  • Summary: AMBULANCE LEAVING HOSPITAL (SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVIE MWALE, HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR, SAYING "The situation is very terrible, especially the Sunday one." VARIOUS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE SINGING, LYING DOWN, DESTROYED PROPERTY (SOUNDBITE) (Chichewa) JAMES MWAKHWAWA, DISPLACED PERSON, SAYING "This is Christmas, that is why we are drinking. But seriously, we are all confused with the earthquake. Otherwise, we have no reason to be happy. We are disturbed." VARIOUS OF TENTS, MAKESHIFT HUTS, CRACKED TARMAC ROAD
  • Embargoed: 11th January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malawi
  • Country: Malawi
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVAEH9RZ69Y2AJ2Y1XJXE0NBMNYX
  • Story Text: Survivors of a 6.0 magnitude earthquake which struck northern Malawi last weekend are being treated in hospital, amid fear that another quake may be on the way.
    The hospital has registered 176 victims and has had up to 94 admissions. However, it has no x-ray machines to scan those that have complicated fractures Nurse Cecilia Wilson said hospital staff were doing the best they could.
    "We are still, at least, giving psychological support to our patients so that they should not worry too much so that they get well soon."
    The country was already struck by a series of quakes earlier this month, with some 3,000 Malawians continuing to live in makeshift shelters following structural damage to their homes.
    The government asked for help from the public to help cater for the displaced by providing food, blankets and tents.
    But auxiliary nurse Twisile Kalambo said he felt the government was not doing enough.
    "The situation is very pathetic, so that we will need the government to add up some more workforce so that we assist the people of Karonga," he said.
    53-year-old Milly Kalanda has serious head injuries. She says she was unconscious when the earthquake destroyed her house. Her two children were badly hurt but now she says her situation is improving.
    "I am now feeling much better than I was. The nurses are really trying to assist us," she said.
    Most patients are sleeping in tents that have been erected outside the hospital campus.
    But the administrative officer for Karonga district hospital, Davie Mwale said the situation was very difficult.
    Displaced people who have lost their homes say there is not much for them to celebrate this Christmas season.
    "This is Christmas, that is why we are drinking. But seriously, we are all confused with the earthquake. Otherwise, we have no reason to be happy. We are disturbed," said James Mwakhwawa.
    The earthquake killed up to five people and lefts hundreds injured.
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