Malawi: Government of Malawi has announced that they will transform Chima Outpatient Department (OPD). It will be turned into a fully functional maternity wing for the people of the Likoma District.
The project will be completed with an investment of K61 million. The aim of the project is to improve maternal and child health services in Likoma District.
The maternity wing will help new mothers and to be mothers feel safer and more at ese with the idea of getting medical support for themselves and their families
The project is being funded by the Government through to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), is set to alleviate challenges faced by expectant mothers in the area who, currently, walk long distances to access critical healthcare services.
Shadreck Msiska, confirmed that the OPD will soon be renovated into a maternity wing. Director of Public Works for Likoma District made these remarks during a media interaction on wednesday.
Msiska said that they are selecting the right bidders for the construction process to begin for the structures
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Likoma District, Chisomo Phethi also shared her own views on the new development. she shared that the new maternity wing will greatly benefit maternal and antenatal health in the district.
Access to maternal services will also improve significantly considering the long distance women travel to reach St Peter’s Hospital.
Phethi added that the construction of this new maternity wing at Chima Health Centre will ease the burden of accessing services such as antenatal, labour, delivery and postnatal care.
She revealed that many women in the district miss antenatal visits in their first trimester as they have to go long distance to the health facility. Further, the administration has shared that the mothers are also expressing their sincere appreciation for the initiative. The new health facility will provide the much needed relief for women who face challenges in accessing maternity services.