Japan pledges K60m theatre in Chikwawa

The Japanese Government has pledged to construct a K60 million operating theatre at St. Montfort Hospital in Chikwawa District.

Japanese Ambassador Kae Yanagisawa said the theatre will provide emergency and surgical services to pregnant women as well as the entire community.

She was speaking at St. Montfort Hospital in Nchalo on Friday when she laid a foundation stone for the construction of the theatre.

“Chikwawa is one of the areas hit by Cyclone Idai in March this year and we learnt that this hospital survived the floods.

“So, there’s need for a hospital which is resilient to climate shocks as access to well-equipped health facilities is paramount, particularly in disaster prone areas like Chikwawa,” Yanagisawa said.

The envoy, however, asked hospital authorities and the contractor to use the funds prudently.

Ministry of Health and Population Services chief quality management officer Malangizo Mbewe commended the Japanese government for the commitment.

“Montfort Hospital has had infrastructural challenges such as a dilapidated theatre, which compromised quality health delivery.

“The coming in of this theatre will go a long way in promoting quality infrastructural services,” he said.

Chikwawa Catholic Diocese Bishop Peter Musikuwa, whose church owns the hospital, pledged prudence in managing the funds.