EWS Foundation Hands Over Health Post to Ntchisi Communities
The clinic, located in the areas of Group Village Headmen Chaseta and Nkhalamo under Traditional Authority Malenga, will serve a population of approximately 5,000 people.
NTCHISI, Malawi - The Environmental, Water and Sanitation (EWS) Foundation has handed over a village clinic worth K7,126,000 to communities in Ntchisi district in an effort to improve health service delivery, writes Kondwani Kandiado.
The clinic, located in the areas of Group Village Headmen Chaseta and Nkhalamo under Traditional Authority Malenga, will serve a population of approximately 5,000 people.
Mayamiko Kaponda, the executive director of the EWS Foundation, explained that the decision to assist the communities was made due to the long distances people had to travel to access health services in the area.
"People cover a distance of about 15 kilometres to the nearest health facility, so we found that there was a need for the facility, and we decided to assist," said Kaponda.
He also expressed concern over the number of children dying along the way or being unable to travel long distances to the nearest health facility, which he deemed an infringement of their rights.
Alinafe Kalanga Mjojo, the Director of Health Services in Ntchisi, praised the initiative, stating that it aligns with the government's efforts to ensure universal health coverage.
"We are greatly excited as a district office because this complements what is in the health sector strategic plan that we should have health services closer to people in a spirit of universal health coverage," said Mjojo.
She also urged other partners to follow the organization's example and build more health posts in the community to improve health service delivery.
Mjojo highlighted the fact that some Health Surveillance Assistants (HSA) currently work under a tree, emphasising the need for proper facilities to promote health service delivery.
In response to the initiative, Mark Mphenzi Mtengo, the Councillor for Masangano ward, praised the EWS Foundation, stating that the health post will spur development in the area.
Funding for the construction of the health post was provided by World Connect, with thirty percent of the funds contributed by the communities, who also mobilized bricks, sand, and quarry stones for the project.