Nurse gives ‘disconnected’ community boat ambulance

Australia-based Malawian nurse Florence Shapiro Khimbi on Christmas Day donated a K4.5 million ambulance boat to hard-to-reach lakeshore areas of Msuku, Tcharo and Mlowe in Rumphi to ease mobility.

The areas are largely accessed by water transport and the boat is expected to sail around areas under Traditional Authority Mwamlowe and sub-traditional authority Chapinduka which collectively encompass 156 villages.

It is also expected to facilitate the transportation of patients to Chiweta and Chitimba, where they can connect with road transport.

Speaking from Perth in Western Australia, Khimbi, who was represented by her family members during the handover, said the boat is expected to enhance the health emergency response in areas around Rumphi East Constituency where she comes from.

She said: “As a registered nurse and midwife, I understand the importance of ensuring that pregnant women and under-five children have access to good medical facilities.”

Receiving the ambulance boat, T/A Mwamlowe hailed the gesture, saying his people have for as long time grappled with mobility challenges which have brought many horrors to the community.

Khimbi has since emphasised the need for collaboration between members of the public and leaders in development, adding that the ambulance is an example of what people can do for their communities.