Malawi Govt secures funds for Phalombe Hospital
President Joyce Banda says as one way of improving the health sector in the country; her administration has sourced funds for the construction of the long-awaited Phalombe District Hospital.
Speaking when she laid the foundation stone for Nancholi Clinic in Blantyre, Banda said access to good health facilities for Malawians is her priority.
“Apart from [Nancholi Clinic], we will build another hospital at Lunzu. We have also secured enough funding for a good hospital which is to be built in Phalombe. Initially, the donors [Arab Economic Development –Badea] told us they would contribute $ 7 million [K2.5 billion] if we [as a country] helped out. Together with my ministers, we are happy to say that we have over $ 10 million [over 3 billion] needed for this hospital,” said Banda.
Phalombe Hospital construction has been a bone of contention since the 2010/2011 budget allocation, where over K300 million was reportedly spent on the project, yet there is nothing on the ground.
Budget documents show that the project was allocated K50 million in the 2010/2011 financial year, K150 million in the following year and K100 million in last year’s budget.
Initially, the construction of Phalombe Hospital stalled until additional financing was sought to supplement the $7 million (K2.5 billion) from Badea.
Members of Phalombe Hospital last month petitioned government through the President to clarify issues concerning allocations that were made in the previous budget towards building of the district hospital.
Phalombe was upgraded to a district over 15 years ago, yet, there is still no hospital.
Lack of commitments and unfilled promises to the tormented poor people is increasingly becoming very common among politicians in this democratic Malawi. We need to fight against leaders who have come to destroy our freedoms in this democratic country and instead “annoint” strong, determined and honest leaders who will bring about real changes to these crying souls tormented by poverty and disease. Politicians stand warned not to take Malawians for granted. Malawians are heavily suffering. examples of promises unfilled- Gadaffi Hospital, Tsangano corridor, Phalombe Road from Chitakale and many more.