Khato Civils Plans Advanced Medical Facility for Water Project Workers
The establishment of the clinic aligns with international construction industry standards and ISO requirements for high-grade construction companies.
DOWA, Malawi -- Khato Civils is constructing a sophisticated medical facility at its Kanyenyeva Campsite to serve workers on the K260 billion Salima-Lilongwe Water Supply Project, marking a significant investment in employee health and safety, writes Winston Mwale.
The facility, which is equipped with modern diagnostic equipment and will be staffed by medical professionals, is designed to provide comprehensive health services along the project's 115-kilometre corridor from Lifuwu to Dowa.
"This isn't just a basic clinic—it's essentially a small hospital with advanced screening capabilities and emergency response facilities," says Dr. Hitler Sigauke, the physician who will oversee the facility, during Thursday's site tour.
The medical centre will feature a four-bed admission ward, laboratory services, and specialised equipment for conducting thorough occupational health screenings. These include advanced vision and hearing tests crucial for construction workers and drivers.
"We will conduct testing to international standards," Dr. Sigauke explains.
"For instance, our hearing tests will go beyond basic whisper tests—we'll use specialised equipment that checks all hearing frequencies. For vision, we'll assess depth perception, which is critical for construction work safety."
The facility will be supported by two dedicated ambulances and staffed by a team of eight healthcare professionals, including an emergency physician, paramedics, and a radiology technician.
Plans are also underway to add dental services.
"We'll have mobile X-ray capabilities to diagnose and manage fractures on-site," Dr. Sigauke adds. "As our workforce grows, we'll recruit additional medical staff in a second phase."
The establishment of the clinic aligns with international construction industry standards and ISO requirements for high-grade construction companies. While primarily serving project workers, the facility will also respond to critical emergencies in surrounding communities.
"By ethics of the medical council, if there's an emergency in the neighbouring area, such as a child having convulsions, we are required to provide life-saving care and arrange transfer to appropriate facilities," Dr. Sigauke notes.
The medical centre complements Khato Civils' broader health and safety initiatives on the water supply project, which aims to deliver 50 million litres of potable water daily from Lake Malawi to Lilongwe by 2026.
All new employees will undergo comprehensive medical screening before beginning work, ensuring they are physically fit for their assigned duties. The facility will also provide routine healthcare services for workers staying at the project's campsites.
Dr. Sigauke emphasises that while the clinic will maintain strict security protocols to manage access, it will stand ready to assist with acute emergencies in the local community, though routine care will remain focused on project workers.
The medical facility represents another significant investment by Khato Civils in the project's infrastructure, following earlier commitments to equipment mobilisation and community development initiatives along the pipeline route.
This healthcare initiative demonstrates Khato Civils' commitment to maintaining international safety and welfare standards while undertaking one of Malawi's most ambitious infrastructure projects to date.