Chilima was speaking during the golf tournament Rotary Club of Lilongwe organised to enable KCH provide free dental services through a dental camp.

He hailed all golf players who played the sport for such a noble cause.

“I thank you all for showing up in big numbers on a Sunday, congratulations to some of you who will walk away with trophies,” said the Vice-President.

In his remarks, KCH Principal Dental Officer, Collins Phiri, asked stakeholders to assist in the dental services in hospitals, saying some facilities go up to six months without lidocaine, a chemical that causes numbness in gums during dental procedures.

“The rotary club has come in handy by providing assistance to enable us treat common Malawians,” Phiri said.

He said last year when the rotary club assisted KCH, the hospital was able to assist about 1,400 patients in a week.

According to Phiri, in Lilongwe District, which has 1.2 million people, there are only five health facilities that are able to provide dental services; Bwaila Hospital helps about 120 patients in a day while more than 2,000 patients a month access dental services from KCH.

He has since commended the Rotary Club of Lilongwe for the charity tournament, saying they are one of the few partners KCH has.

Vice-President, Chilima hit the ceremonial Tee-off which was followed by yet another Tee-off by President of the Rotary Club, Vincent Sikelo.

President of the Rotary Club of Lilongwe, Sikelo, said the club came to assist after noticing that there were no partners for dental services.

“We have been doing this project for the past 10 years, and we know the number of patients is growing every year,” he said.

He also acknowledged the Vice-President for patronizing the tournament.

The proceedings raised from an auction of items amounting to K550, 000 on the day also went to the same cause.

Seventy-six (76) golfers participated in the tournament and winners received trophies and awards.

Among the winners in the men’s category was team National Bank 1 with 96 points while Stellah Ng’oma for the women’s category had the longest drive.