People demand guardian shelter at Balaka Hospital

Ten traditional leaders in Balaka have asked duty-bearers to construct a guardian shelter, toilets and kitchen at Balaka District Hospital.

Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with Balaka Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Network on the issue, Balaka Chiefs Council chairperson Traditional Authority Chanthunya said the facilities will help guardians during their stay at the hospital.

He said: “The condition of the toilets is so bad that nobody uses them and with the onset of the rainy season, we are afraid the hospital could be a source of waterborne diseases.

“We are giving the council three months to source funds for the toilet, kitchen and guardian shelter.”

Chanthunya said chiefs have suggested that members of Parliament (MPs) should use part of Constituency Development Fund for the project.

Chief Mpilisi said the council was failing to provide the facilities despite collecting market fees daily, getting K9 million from sale of plots at Ulongwe Trading Centre and recouping K8 million from Manica Ground land defaulters.

In his response, Balaka District Council chairperson Michael Sauka Junior while admitting the problem is long overdue, said in accordance with tenets of decentralisation, the finance committee will meet soon to map the way forward.

He said: “The Bill of Quantity shows we will need K80million for the project which the council on its own cannot source.

“Currently, only Tony Ngalande (Balaka North MP) has donated cement for the cause.”

Balaka CSOs Network chairperson John Bamusi said they engaged the chiefs on the issue following pressure from people.

“We need to engage financial institutions, organisations and companies to help construct the facilities,” he said.