The Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ben Nangombe, has dismissed claims by PDM MP Hidipo Hamata that Engela District Hospital is in deplorable condition.

Hamata, in a media statement, listed a number of challenges at the hospital.

These include a generator that has allegedly not been working for months, doctors using cellphone flashlights during surgeries, non-operational laundry, and insufficient cabinets at the mortuary.

Nangombe says the content of the media statement is sensational, misleading, and not based on facts.

He says although the health sector is facing some challenges, many are being addressed.

Nangombe says the hospital has two standby power generators, one of which is fully operational while the other is undergoing maintenance.

There has been no instance where doctors used torch lights or mobile phones in the theater, and therefore the allegations made by PDM are baseless.

The laundry machines, Nangombe says, are serviced and maintained by private companies.

He says a purchase order has already been issued to fix the machines to ensure continuity of service without disruption.

Nangombe also says that the replacement of the sewerage pump has been submitted to the ministry's procurement unit and that an agreement has been reached with Helao Nafidi Town Council to safely dispose of sewerage generated by the hospital.