Gvt Pledges Improved Access to Health Services in Hard-to-Reach Areas

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to health services throughout the country, including in remote areas, in order to achieve universal health coverage.

Phale, making a speech

Malawi: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to health services throughout the country, including in remote areas, in order to achieve universal health coverage, writes Judgement Katika.

Deputy Minister of Health, Enock Phale, stated this on Saturday in the area of Senior Chief Nankumba, a remote area where communities are using a grass-thatched temporary shelter for a health facility.

According to Phale, previous governments neglected rural communities, and it is sad to see people travelling more than 20 kilometres to access health services.

"I'm not happy with what I've seen here; this was not supposed to be the situation; we can do better as a country, and that is what this government wants to work on; at this facility, with support from our partner Global Aids Interfaith Alliance (GAIA), who are providing mobile clinics, many people coming here had to travel long distances to access these services,” he stated.

According to the deputy minister, this is why the Chakwera administration plans to build 900 health posts, even in difficult-to-reach areas, to address such challenges.

Senior Chief Nankumba, for his part, stated that his area has long been denied development such as water and health services, and he praised the deputy minister for bravely visiting the area.

"This is what we call servant leadership; we have never seen a cabinet minister here before; this is the first time, and we are pleased that we have spoken our minds, and we are confident that the deputy minister's visit will result in good results and hope for people in my area," Senior Chief Nankumba said.

The government has already begun building health posts in some areas across the country in order to improve access to health services.