The Big Interview

Big Interview: Charity Salima

Some seven years ago, she embarked on fighting maternal mortality through establishing a clinic in Lilongwe’s Area 23 Township. Today, the clinic is a medical facility in the capital city where a number of expectant women are delivering from. Recently, the Joyce Banda Foundation (JBF), signed a pact with Charity Salima—owner of the clinic for pregnant women to deliver at her clinic at the expense of the foundation— in support of safe motherhood. I had time to chat with her. Excerpts:

 

charity-sitimaTell me who you are.

I am a first born daughter of Kennedy and Rose Phiri. I was born on August 24 1958 and I come from Lichale Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mankhambira in Nkhata Bay. We were born eight children but, unfortunately, we lost one. I am currently married to Andrew Salima with whom I have three children; Andrew junior, Matilda and Naile.

After working for government for over 20 years as a nurse, I thought of opening my own facility in Area 23 and I named it Achikondi Women’s Clinic. The name Achikondi is derived from the women I help because it means the lovely woman I have become for them.

Generally, I am a fun person who likes sharing jokes with people and I was not surprised when they brand me Achikondi.

 

What sort of upbringing did you have?

Like most people, I come from a humble beginning. I was raised by my grandmother in Nkhata Bay while my parents worked in Blantyre. Growing up in the village was tough because I lacked a number of basic necessities. My granny inspired and motivated me to remain in school and study hard. I used to sleep on a bare floor but, life went on. Sometimes, I walked a long journey to school along bushes alone, but that is now water under the bridge; here we are.

You know, by then, life was difficult as parents urged us to raise school fees on our own. I remember when I was in Standard Five, I was the only girl in a class where boys teased me, but I remained tranquil and focused towards my goals. That said, it has not been an easy ride.

 

What is your education background?

After failing to make it to secondary school, I enrolled with St. Augustine Community Day Secondary School in Nkhatabay. By then, we used to call it MCC. After obtaining a Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), I enrolled with St. Johns School of Nursing in Mzuzu where I studied nursing up to certificate level. Thereafter, I studied midwifery at Zomba School of Nursing where I obtained another certificate. In 1980, I started working at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) as a nurse before studying psychiatric health in Zomba two years later.

I have so far worked as nurse at Nkhata Bay hospital, Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), Mzuzu Health Centre before joining the University of Northern Carolina (UNC) project. In 2006, I resigned and opened Achikondi Women’s Clinic in 2008.

 

How did you come up with the idea of the clinic?

Well, maternal mortality rate has been high in Area 23, worsened by the lack of a government facility. The nearest is either Kawale or Bwaila, which are very far from here. But, I would be hesitant to say that I am targeting women only here. Men and children also get other medical assistance from this clinic.

We target everybody and we treat a number of diseases. Initially, we were offering antenatal only. But now, we have diversified into treating many cases.

 

So, how many women do you deliver?

In a week, I would say we deliver about 20 women. On other ailments, we attend to about 50 patients per day.

 

Are you funded in your service delivery?

In most services I am not funded. We buy medical equipment and drugs on our own. But, from January 15 this year, the Joyce Banda Foundation (JBF) showed interest in fighting maternal mortality in the area. We finally signed a deal where expectant mothers will be delivering at this facility free of charge. The same will be invoiced to the foundation and they will be paying us. It seems the former president still has the welfare of women at heart and we are holistically working together in promoting safe motherhood in this area.

 

Why do you think the former president signed a pact with you?

When she was president of the country, she championed safe motherhood in a number of districts. In that cause, she thought women of Area 23 deserve the subsidy since there is no government facility in the area. On the other hand, we share goals of fighting high maternal mortality rate and that is what made her identify the clinic and sign this pact.

 

Is the fight against maternal mortality winning?

Yes, we are winning. There were a number of women delivering at their door steps, exposing their uteruses to a number of diseases that range from fistula and cervical cancer. But after establishing the facility, we ensure that no mother dies during labour. And, this is being achieved. The establishment of the facility has contributed to this metamorphosis

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What are your plans?

Funds permitting, I would like to open another medical facility within the area. I would love to see a baby delivered here grow up under my watch; hence, I plan to introduce a day care centre to look after these children.

 

What are your challenges so far?

The erratic availability of electricity and water is a big problem, especially to a medical facility such as ours. We depend on electricity to ably use our equipment in the labour ward. Without water, how do we sterilise our appliances? The other issue is taking the message to men on the need to get involved in the delivery of their children. Some shun the calling, saying it is the duty of a woman to bring the baby home. But, the message is diffusing and we are slowly getting there.

 

What do you describe as good moments in your life?

I was so happy on September 24 last year when we moved from a rented building to our own.  I was on cloud number nine with ecstasy and I will not forget that day in my life.

 

Any sad moments?

The day I lost my grandmother in the early 80’s. I was traumatised to lose somebody who raised me up. It was so difficult to gather bits in me and stand up as a woman. Well, she is gone, but life has to go on.

 

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like chatting with my grandchildren and watching movies.

 

And your best dish?

When you invite me to your house, give me nsima and Chambo and I will cherish that.

 

Last comments, if any?

I would like to urge the general populace to unite in the fight of reducing maternal mortality rate in the country. Let us also join hands to reduce the rate together. Let men also take part too.

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