Malawian Health Initiative-Australia has handed over a K5 million worth placenta pit to Chikwawa District Hospital to enhance hygiene at the facility.
Speaking on Friday, the group’s board chairperson Lovemore Chikadza said the gesture is a significant milestone in their commitment to improving the well-being of citizens in the district.
Hospital. | Wisdom Chirombo
He said the facility will provide a means of disposing of placental material in an environmentally-friendly manner, thereby contributing to better health practices.
Said Chikadza: “As Malawians living outside the country, we are passionate about supporting the government’s efforts to improve people’s livelihoods, especially in the health sector.
“We noted that Chikwawa District Hospital needed a waste disposal facility; hence, coming up with one.”
Chikwawa District Hospital senior nursing officer Miriam Khoka said the facility will help improve the management of medical waste.
She said: “In the wake of cyclones Ana and Freddy in 2022 and 2023, a lot of infrastructure was destroyed, including a placenta pit at the facility.
“So we had inadequate resources to construct a new one, and this forced the hospital to improvise a site for our placenta. We are, therefore, happy with the new facility.”
While appreciating the initiative, Chikwawa District Council health committee chairperson Aubrey Masanza asked other well-wishers, including those in the diaspora, to emulate the example set by Malawian Health Initiative-Australia to help the district.
Malawian Health Initiative-Australia is a community-driven organisation established by Malawians living in Australia aimed at improving health systems and enhancing the quality of life for Malawians
