Unicef donates boat to Mangochi communities

Unicef has donated a K45 million boat to communities in Mvunguti and Gome Ilembe islands in traditional authorities (T/As) Nankumba and Lulanga in Mangochi District to enable them access healthcare services at Monkey Bay Rural Hospital.

Speaking on Saturday during the handover at Chiphole Beach Site in T/A Lulanga, Deputy Minister of Local Government Halima Daud said the boat will help pregnant women who struggled to reach Monkey Bay to get health services.

“Let me thank Unicef for the donation as it will help women, children and other vulnerable people to access healthcare services at Monkey Bay Rural Hospital,” she said.

Daud said people who stay in hard-to-reach areas struggle to access healthcare services and other social amenities. She asked health officials to take care of the boat.

Mangochi district commissioner Raphael Piringu said the council was struggling to reach communities from the two areas with healthcare services due to mobility challenges.

He said: “Even when Covid-19 was at its peak, we failed to conduct awareness campaign in the two areas. We also could not reach them with polio vaccination.

“Now, with the boat, the council will be able to reach the people with healthcare services.”

T/A Lulanga also thanked Unicef for the boat, saying it will improve people’s access to health facilities in Monkey Bay.

“Healthy people are crucial for the development of the country,” he said.

Makanjira North Ward  councillor Abdula Yusufu said the boat will help to save lives as it will be easy to transport patients any time to hospital.

Community  member Chimwemwe Phiri of Gombe Ilembe said pregnant mothers were failing to access antenatal services at Monkey Bay Rural Hospital due to mobility challenges.

“I expect that pregnant mothers will not skip their hospital appointments,” she said.

The boat has a capacity to carry nine people, including the driver.