Cabo Delgado: Closure of the Katapua Health Center causes alarming impacts on the local population

 

I would like to share with you a serious situation that is directly affecting the community of Katapua, in the most populous district of Cabo Delgado, Chiúre, in the northern region of the country.

The Katapua health center has been closed since the beginning of the protests in the region. This decision resulted in the dismissal of the staff, who have now been reassigned to work in the Chiure district capital.

In addition, there is another concerning situation, the medications have been removed from the health facility.

I discussed this matter few day with two employees from the hospital, a nurse and a pharmacist, who met me at my sister-in-law’s house. It was during this meeting that I received information about the closure of the health facility and the redistribution of medications, including paracetamol, Quartem, a box of ATPU (Therapeutic Food Ready for Use (RUTF) in the home treatment of children aged six months to five years with severe acute malnutrition), and cornmeal. They divided the medications between themselves, with each one taking five plastic bags.

One of the employees mentioned that she would sell the medications in a private pharmacy and that the ATPU would be kept for her children.

This situation is extremely worrying because it means that the people of Katapua are now without access to healthcare services.

If anyone in the community falls ill, they will have to travel to the Meculane community, Marrupa, or even to the Chiúre district capital to receive medical attention. Worse still, the costs of transportation and treatment are the responsibility of the patient or their family, which is a significant burden for those who are already facing financial difficulties.

It is important to note that I was unable to take photos of the situation, as we were in a small group consisting of the two employees, the driver who brought them, my sister-in-law, and myself.

This public health crisis is directly related to the strike that occurred in the region. As part of the protests, the people of Katapua burned the police station, the chief’s house, and all the houses of local FRELIMO party leaders. Therefore, the closure of the health center is a direct consequence of this social conflict, which has left the community vulnerable and without access to basic health services.

The situation is alarming, and the people of Katapua urgently need a solution to ensure they have proper access to healthcare. (Anonymous to Mozanorte)