St Francis Hospital in Katete District of Eastern Province risks discontinuing provision of health services to the public provided user fees are not affected.

St. Francis Hospital, Medical superintendent, Dr Lalik Banda told 5FM news that against a monthly grant of  200,000 kwacha from the government, the facility spends way over 1 million kwacha as running costs on monthly basis.

He was speaking in response to a public outcry over the introduction of users for all the services with effect from the 26 of April this year.

He explained that expenses cover Electricity, Communication, Medicine, fuels, and water bills among other essential expenses.

He said there is a need for people to appreciate that the facility is the largest referral institution in the province, and the second in the country by capacity and number of patience it attends to annually.

Dr Banda explains that the facility is spending a lot in its effort to provide quality health services in the Eastern province and beyond.

Meanwhile, the Hospital said it will exempt patients below the age of 5 years and adults above the age of 65 years from paying.