‘Renovate health facility’

Community members around Nyungwe Health Centre in Karonga District have asked duty-bearers and authorities to renovate the facility and five healthcare workers’ houses.

The facility’s health management committee chairperson Mussa Mkandawire said this on Saturday when a Lilongwe-based businessperson Wilson Sichali donated an K11.8 million ambulance to the health centre.

He said: “This health centre was built in 1974 and serves at least 53 000 people. However, it only has five staff houses which are in poor condition. The facility’s window louvres are also damaged which compromises patients’ privacy.

“Again, there are no pit latrines, which is a concern due to resurgence of waterborne diseases such as cholera.”

Mkandawire commended Sichali for the ambulance, saying it will improve healthcare delivery, especially for pregnant women.

Senior Chief Mwirang’ombe also asked authorities to ensure the facility wears a new face to create a conducive environment for the delivery of healthcare services.

He said: “However, I thank the donor for the ambulance. Patients dig deep into their pockets to hire motorcycles to ferry them to the hospital.

“The challenge now is feeder roads and bridges that need rehabilitation so that the ambulance should easily access many communities.”

Karonga District Hospital principal administrator Develliers Mwale said the ambulance will also help to transport referrals from Nyungwe to the district hospital.

In an interview, Sichali said he donated the ambulance to complement government’s efforts to save people’s lives.

“Only healthy people can contribute meaningfully to the socioeconomic development of any area; hence, donating the ambulance,” he said.

This is the third ambulance Sichali is donating in the area. He also  donated to Mlare and Lupembe health centres.