Malawi: Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has applauded the Balaka District Council for constructing a modern Kwitanda Maternity Wing. The facility is being commended as a state of the art addition to district infrastructure and was constructed under the budget of K49 million
The Minister of Health commissioned the structure which also has modern equipment. Chiponda said government is keen at preventing maternal deaths by making sure that maternal services are closer to people.
For a long time, pregnant mothers from the area used to endure over 10 kilometers to Utale Health Centre or 30 kilometers to Balaka District Hospital for maternal health services, something which led to many delivering on the way.
“We have introduced another resource envelope which is for maintenance and rehabilitation and some of the councils are using this financing window to construct maternity wings which in the end is meant to reduce the distance pregnant mothers had to endure to access maternal services.
“Let me commend Balaka District Council for putting up a good fight and constructing this beautiful and magnificent structure as a gift to all mothers in this area, delivered through the District Development Fund,” she said.
Chiponda has announced that government is tirelessly working to ensure that all essential drugs are always available in all hospitals for people to access.
The Minister of Health said that she was happy with the efforts of the government in ensuring the adequate availability of drugs in health centers. The Minister toured the pharmacy at Mpilisi Health Centre saying that even though the area is remote, medication is readily available.
Speaking earlier, Member of Parliament for Balaka South, Ireen Mambala thanked the Minister for enduring the bad weather which has contributed to a bad road network in the area to commission what she described as ‘her pride of all.’
Said Mambala: “When I was just voted as a legislator for this area, I thought of easing the burden that my fellow mothers had to endure to access maternal services, I am a happy person today that what I only thought was a dream has now come to pass.
“Let me thank the district council for seeing it fit to listen to me and have this structure here today, it means a lot to me and the entire community.” The wing can admit up to 12 women.