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Engalaweni Health Center in Need of K6M

 Pic: Engalaweni health center - K6 million needed to finish it. Pic: Engalaweni health center - K6 million needed to finish it. Photo by Vanani Nyirenda

 

Authorities at Embangweni Mission Hospital in Mzimba have appealed to well-wishers to support them with 6 million kwacha to finish construction of Engalaweni Health Center which will carter a population of over 25,000 people if completed.
 
Hospital Director Dr. Kondwani Zgambo said currently communities are walking over 30 kilometers to and from nearest health centers to access health care services when sick.
 
"We have done a lot in constructing this facility with the help of partners in the United States of America, but we still need 6 million kwacha as we are about to do some final touches that can be in line with the Medical Council of Malawi set standards if the facility will be opened," said Dr. Zgambo.
 
Dr. Zgambo said currently people in the area including expectant women are facing many hurdles to make it to the nearest health facility mainly because of transportation costs.
 
Such remarks were echoed by Joyce Makhala of Vuta Village under Inkosana Mkhuzo Jere who said due to the long distances some expectant women are delivering babies at home usually with a lot of complications. 
 
"We find a lot of challenges especially on the side of expectant women who do not have transport, some have ended up delivering while still on the way to Kamteteka or Manyamula health facilities which are far away," said Makhala.
 
However, Synod of Livingstonia Department of Health Director Mphatso Ngulube notes the need for collaborated efforts towards funding finishing touches to Engalaweni Health Center saying in its current form it would not meet the standards as set by the Medical Council of Malawi.
 
"Much as we share the plight of the people here but the facility cannot be certified for opening by the medical council hence the need for government, the church and other well-wishers to come in and help in the work so that the facility should be of a good standard," said Ngulube 
 
Acting Mzimba District Director for Health and Social Services Dr. Prince Chirwa said they will work hand in hand with Embangweni Mission Hospital to ensure that people around Embangweni are accessing health care easily.
 
"You know government policy states that a health facility must be available every 8 kilometers so construction of this health center is in line with such efforts and will go a long way in assisting the people here," said Dr. Chirwa.
 
Officials from Embangweni Mission Hospital, Mzimba District Health Office and Synod of Livingstonia Health Department who visited the facility under construction agreed on the need to improve standards of construction so that its deemed fit for opening by the Medical Council of Malawi.
 
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Last modified on Sunday, 23/08/2020

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