World Vision Malawi (WVM) has handed over a K7 million Under-five clinic structure to members of Likhonyola Area in Traditional Authority (T/A) Jenala in Phalombe.
The structure, which has taken five months to be constructed, will be used for maternity, antenatal clinic services and provision of other drugs for common diseases such as malaria.
Speaking on Friday after handing over the facility, WVM’s programme manager for Mkhumba Area Development Programme (ADP) Bernard Sakwata said his office built the structure after observing that women from the area were walking long distances to access the service at Nkhwaila Health Centre, which is about 20 kilometres away.
“WV is a child focused organisation and we intervene wherever we feel children are lacking basic health services. We believe the structure will increase the number of people who access antenatal clinic services. We also believe, it will encourage women to deliver at the hospital, “he said.
Member of Parliament for the area, Anna Kachikho, hailed WVM saying, the facility, which also has a toilet, is a relief to the community.
“Over 700 000 households from both my constituency and those nearby will benefit from this facility because we don’t have enough health centers around. I thank WVM and urge other organisations to follow suit by considering giving us a complete health centre,” she said.
Group Village Head (GVH) Mkoko promised total security to the facility. He said he had already employed a watchman to guard the structure during the night.
Apart from the structure WVM also donated 10 mattresses, five scales for pregnant mothers, three scales for children, bed sheets and furniture.
