First Lady cheers Chisoka Health Centre patients
Malawi First Lady Gertrude Mutharika has urged pregnant women to register for antenatal and deliver their babies at hospitals.
Mutharika said this in an interview after cheering patients at Chisoka Health Centre in Thyolo on New Year’s Day where she also donated assorted items to newly born babies, pregnant women, out patients and to the health facility’s administration.
The First Lady also named a baby who was born Wednesday night, Gertrude.
Addressing the crowd that welcomed her, Mutharika encouraged the women to properly dispose waste in their homes, especially this mango season, to prevent illnesses that are caused by unhygienic practices.
Patrick Sandramu, Chisoka Health Centre clinical officer, in a separate interview, expressed happiness at the First Lady’s visit and said the materials presented to the facility will go a long way in helping them in their delivery of services.
“We are very thankful to the First Lady for remembering us during this special day and for the gifts presented to us and our patients. The patients could have loved to celebrate the day with their families, but the First Lady’s visit has just made their day even more special,” said Sandramu.
In an interview, mother to Gertrude, 21-year-old Estele Phinifolo from Katundu Village in Traditional Authority Chimaliro’s area in Thyolo, expressed joy for having her daughter named after the First Lady.
On a daily basis, Chisoka Health Centre helps roughly 400 out-patients and delivers about five babies.
The centre offers services such as cancer screening, family planning and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT).
