McDonald urges Malawi communities to be self reliant

People in Chikhwawa District have been urged to adopt ways of improving their lives without seeking external interventions.

The call was made on Sunday by vice-chancellor for the University of Strathclyde in Scotland Sir Jim McDonald who made a tour of Mfera Health Centre in the district to appreciate the progress made by the Health Setting Project which is in its second year of implementation.

McDonald noted that the project has brought positive impact among communities; hence, he pledged to continue championing initiatives of such nature as well as spread them to other districts in the country.

“We have seen enormous impact and the enthusiasm of people towards this project is another indicator that people have embraced it,” he said.

Chikhwawa health initiative coordinator Save Kumwenda said the project which was introduced to improve health standards has registered “tremendous” impact on, among other areas, maternal health.

Chikhwawa district environmental health officer Thomson Kajombo Phiri said the project has reduced cases of malaria, cholera and diarrhoea in the district, noting that this is largely due to improved sanitation.