Karonga communities hail NGO for setting accountability clubs

Communities of Mpata and Kasoba in Karonga have commended Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) for introducing accountability clubs in their areas, saying they are crucial to the improvement of health service delivery in the district.

Speaking during an exchange visit between the two communities on Saturday, Mpata Accountability Club vice-secretary Mordecai Mswelo said the clubs have enlightened communities to demand quality access to health services.

He said people in the area used to face challenges such as understaffing of medical personnel and shortage of drugs, but now things have changed as the club is able to negotiate for better and quality services from health workers.

“Before CHRR, we had nowhere to turn to whenever we were offered poor services. But with the introduction of accountability clubs, we are able to track even drug usage to ensure that drug pilferage is avoided,” said Mswelo

Kasoba Accountability Cub chairperson  Spene Mwafongo said things have changed for the better because accountability clubs work with health advisory committees to ensure that people’s grievances  are addressed.

CHRR project officer Lydia Mkandawire said the five-year health governance project seeks to increase access to health services to people in the community.

CHRR is implementing the project in Karonga with support from Oxfam to ensure improved access to health services in public hospitals.