St John’s Hospital raises K30m from big walk

St. John’s Hospital in Mzuzu on Saturday raised K30 million in surgical equipment and cash following a 20-kilometre big walk meant to mobilise funds for the resource-constrained hospital.

However, the amount realised during the big walk falls K120 million short of the hospital’s target of K150 million. But authorities are optimistic that the target would be achieved.

The big walk started at Ekwendeni Trading Centre along the Mzuzu-Karonga section of the M1 Road, 20 kilometres away from Mzuzu City, to St John’s Hospital premises within the city.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, the hospital’s administrative officer Elizabeth Philemon said the facility is optimistic to meet its target as some businesses and individuals were yet to honour their pledges.

She said so far, the equipment donated include full blood count machines, examination couch, biochemistry machine and 10 mattresses and cash, all amounting to K30 million.

Hospital administrator Charity Chimkono expressed gratitude to organisations, individuals and the business community who supported the cause and those yet to fulfil it with cash and materials.

She said: “We have been announcing that St. John’s Hospital is in dire need of hospital equipment. So, we are grateful that some donors such as Thofu Investment and Zanak Pharmacy have come forward to donate some equipment to the hospital.”

However, Chimkono said the institution is still lacking in some areas, including ambulances and finances to complete the Out-Patient Department (OPD) block currently under construction.

In her remarks, Mzimba North district health officer Emily Gondwe commended St John’s Hospital for taking the bold step to organise a fundraising big walk to raise money for hospital equipment. n