Germany-based humanitarian organisation Hilal Afrika has teamed up with Dawn Aid to provide free medical services to over 8 000 people in Mangochi District.
The medical outreach in traditional authorities (T/As) Makanjira and Lulanga, which ran from Saturday to Sunday, engaged more than 50 health specialists from Mangochi District Health Office (DHO).
The exercise took place in three locations, namely Mpilipili in T/A Makanjira as well as Kango and Mpamira primary schools in T/A Lulanga.
Hilal Afrika chairperson Umut Turan said the initiative aims to improve access to healthcare for people in remote areas.
He said: “This is not the first time we have conducted these medical camps. We started three
years ago after realising the pressing healthcare challenges people in remote areas are facing.
“Since then, we have helped over 15 000 people with various problems and referred serious cases to district and central hospitals.”
Senior Chief Lulanga expressed gratitude for the support, saying it will help
many people in his area who would have struggled to access healthcare services.
“This project has saved many from preventable diseases,” he said.
In his remarks, Mangochi District Health Office senior medical officer and lead coordinator of the camp Dr. Innocent Lanjesi commended Hilal Afrika and Dawn Aid for the outreach.
“Accessing services at Mangochi District Hospital is extremely difficult due to the poor condition of the Mangochi-Makanjira Road. These camps align perfectly with the government’s goal of achieving universal health coverage,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Hawa M’balaka, 80, who received an eye treatment, thanked the organisation for the exercise.
“It would be difficult for me to travel at least 120 kilometres to Mangochi District Hospital for treatment,” she said.
The outreach clinics cost K25 million.
