 popularly known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo donated three ambulances to Neno District Health Office (DHO)){kind=link}
Malawi: Partners in Health (PIH) popularly known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo donated three ambulances to Neno District Health Office (DHO). The donation was made on Friday as one way of improving the referral system in the health sector.
The global health and social justice organisation have been working with healthcare officials to provide access to quality healthcare. The official handover ceremony was hosted at the Neno District Hospital.
During the event PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema delivered a brief address, speaking of the importance of the organization. He said the gesture reaffirms PIH’s commitment to supporting Malawi government’s efforts in strengthening health systems.
Nhlema said the move is one way of improving the referral system. This will help in improving health status especially maternal and neonatal health outcomes for the district.
She said it is the mandate of PIH to work and support the Ministry of Health. She added that the donated ambulances will help to curb negative patient outcomes that are recorded in Neno.
The officials have been reporting issues in providing healthcare due to delayed transfer of patients from primary health centres.
“All this is meant to strengthen and expand the provision of advanced and high-quality emergency and critical care services right here in the district,” said Nhlema.
She, therefore, appealed to Neno District Council to take ownership of the vehicles and ensure that they are used effectively and sustainably to address patient referral needs in the district.
Neno District Council Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. Enoch Ndarama commended PIH for the gesture, saying the support has come at the right time.
“We are happy for the donation and this is what collaboration is all about. We have been working with Partners in Health for a long time and they have been supporting us for quite an extensive time including this year’s donation,” he said.
Ndarama said the three ambulances will bridge the gap that existed in transferring patients from different health facilities to the district hospital and from district hospital to central hospital.
“This donation has come at the right time because we have been facing challenges in transportation and we are grateful for the support that PIH has rendered to us,” Ndarama said.
All three ambulances were purchased at an overall combined cost amounting to $123,963.92 (equivalent of K214, 919, 922.50).
From the three ambulances, one was procured with support from Global Affairs Canada and it has been in the district since 2020 operating under PIH, particularly in Lower Neno at Lisungwi Community Hospital.
While the other two ambulances were procured in March 2023 with funding from WYSS Medical Foundation which will also support the rehabilitation of a High Dependency Unit at the DHO which is yet to be commissioned and is meant to strengthen and expand the provision of advanced and high-quality emergency and critical care services in the district.
Apart from donating the ambulances, PIH has also granted scholarships to health workers in the district as one way of ensuring that there is continuation of the medical education and training programmes to improve the overall quality of health services.