Operations at Dzaleka Health Centre have been disrupted for months due to unstable electricity, following delays by ESCOM in transferring K1.5 million worth of electricity units to a new meter after the old one was damaged.

Dowa District Health Office spokesperson Davie Nuka confirmed the challenge, saying the facility has been relying on solar power, which is not reliable enough to support all services. He said the power problem has affected several departments, including maternity.

Nuka added that health authorities have been engaging ESCOM to resolve the issue, but the power supplier has not yet transferred the units or provided a timeline for when the situation will be fixed. He said both the district health office and Dzaleka Health Centre management have repeatedly followed up without success.

Patients and guardians have expressed concern over the situation. Witness Keliati, from Kabwabwa Village under Senior Chief Mponera, who arrived at the facility on Sunday with his pregnant daughter, described the situation as worrying, especially for expectant mothers at night.

Keliati said that when the solar system runs out of power, they are forced to use torches, which many families cannot afford.

Dzaleka Health Centre, located inside Dzaleka Refugee Camp, serves more than 86,000 people from the camp and surrounding communities.