Project results impress donor in Mangochi

The Government of Iceland says it is happy with the positive results of Icelandic International Development Agency (Iceida)-funded projects in Mangochi.

Icelandic charge d’Affaires in Malawi Inga Dona Petursdottir said this on Friday when she handed over the new paediatric unit at Mangochi District Hospital, replacing the one destroyed by fire in April 2018.

She also visited new Mangochi District Hospital maternity wing built by Iceida under the Mangochi Basic Services Programme (MBSP).

Petursdottir said she was happy with the infrastructure and the impact the projects are having on the people of Mangochi.

She said: “I am impressed mostly with the maternity ward. The structures are revolutionary for services and I am told that with the construction of the new maternity wing, maternal death rate has decreased by 40 percent.

“That is fantastic news and I hope the rate will keep on decreasing.”

On his part, Mangochi District Council chairperson Allan Mmadi commended the Icelandic Government for the support.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development director of rural development Malango Botomani said they will ensure that the infrastructure and equipment is put to good use and that a maintenance plan is put in place.

Petursdottir also visited Mtengeza Primary School to appreciate school blocks, teachers’ houses and the solar water pump system, which supplies water to the school.

Her last stop was at a borehole drilled in  the area of Senior Chief Mponda.

Iceida has been supporting Mangochi for 30 years in various development projects.

The MBSP, which is in its second phase, has been operational since 2012 and is worth K20 billion.