Tukombo dispensary opens after 15 years

Government has opened Tukombo Dispensary in Nkhata Bay district almost 15 years after its construction began. However, opening of the facility as dispensary and not a health centre means that the community, especially women, cannot access maternity services there.

Women in the area walk long distances to access maternity services due to unavailability of a health centre.

Lack of such services has seen the area registering cases of maternal deaths, women giving birth on the way and in their homes, and other birth complications.

Expectant mothers who witnessed the opening of the dispensary on Monday had a rude awakening that they will still travel over 10 kilometres to give birth as the facility was certified as dispensary and could not cater for maternity services.

Milika Phiri, 18, who gave birth in a vehicle at the age of 13 while on her way to a health centre, said giving birth at home and on the way is dangerous, as women lose a lot of blood, and get weak. She said if government provides maternity services closer to people, cases of women giving birth without the help of health experts will be curbed.

Mzuzu CCJP diocesan secretary Arnold Msimuko, whose organisation was instrumental  in opening of the dispensary, said the people can be served better by a health centre or rural hospital to enable women give birth at the facility.

He said there is need for donors to come in; arguing that government alone cannot provide health services to the people.

Traditional Authority (T/A) Zilakoma said the community had already moulded bricks.