Government is yet to complete constructing flats at the country’s three central hospitals and Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe more than a year since the project started Weekend Nation has learnt.
Apart from Bwaila, government is constructing the flats at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre (QECH), Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe and Zomba Central Hospital under the Ministry of Health’s Umoyo Housing Project.
The project appears in the latest Auditor General’s report for the year ended June 2011 as having some work in several districts poorly done by contractors.
In an emailed response last week, Ministry of Health public relations officer Henry Chimbali said work on the projects sometimes delays because of the long processes involved.
“There has been progress made in this area. The construction of different infrastructure under Umoyo Housing Project phase II is a process that may include tendering, reviewing, awarding of contracts, signing of the contracts as well as the contractor mobilising resources.
“We, however, have made progress in this area and we hope to achieve our target in the specified period of the project,” said Chimbali.
He said construction of the flats at the four hospitals is at 20 percent. He added that the ministry is striving to ensure the project is completed within the specified 24 months.
“If we isolate specific projects, you would see that the construction of the flats in central hospitals, including one at Bwaila is close to 20 percent while that of new 140 houses, the rate is close to 40 percent and then for the 15 health centres, there is also significant progress,” said Chimbali.
He said they planned to construct five flats with 24 apartments in all central hospitals and Bwaila Hospital.
Chimbali added that there is “great” demand for the flats being constructed because many health workers face accommodation problems.
“Any delay on the projects has an impact on hospital operations, especially on the housing aspect, but as said, the project is for 24 months and we are putting all efforts to complete the project as scheduled.
“All contractors for the projects are on site presently and as per the contract, we expect the projects to be completed in 18 to 24 months,” said Chimbali.
Meanwhile, officials from the ministry are expected to appear before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to answer audit queries on poor work on earlier completed projects under the same Umoyo Housing Project.
