Salima District Council Vows to Enhance Food Service Delivery at District Hospital
This commitment comes in response to a damning report by the civil society organisation Nutrition Alliance, which exposed deficiencies in the hospital's meal provision.
SALIMA, Malawi — The Health and Environmental Committee (HEC) of the Salima District Council has pledged to enhance food service delivery at the Salima District Hospital, writes Alinafe Jimmy Mkwezalamba.
This commitment comes in response to a damning report by the civil society organisation Nutrition Alliance, which exposed deficiencies in the hospital's meal provision.
The Nutrition Alliance's fact-finding mission, unveiled on October 25, 2023, revealed that patients at the Salima District Hospital receive only two meals a day, with no emphasis on the quality or nutritional value of the food.
The hospital's menu primarily consists of porridge in the morning and Nsima served with either beans or vegetables, which falls far short of the standards outlined in the Ministry of Health’s hospital catering policy.
Speaking after the report dissemination meeting at the district council's chamber, HEC Chairperson Councillor Letan Mthaphi acknowledged the issue and committed to taking it before the full council to advocate for increased resources to enhance the hospital's food service delivery.
Mthaphi stated, "We appreciate the findings of the mission as they are a true reflection of the situation on the ground. We are committed to improving the food service delivery at the hospital, and we will work with the full council to ensure that we get the necessary resources to do so."
Joseph Gausi, Acting National Coordinator for the Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance (CSONA), expressed satisfaction with the HEC's commitment and promised to closely monitor the situation.
He said, "We are happy with the commitment made by the HEC, and we will be making follow-ups to ensure that the promises materialise. We want to see patients at the Salima District Hospital being fed nutritious meals on a regular basis."
The Nutrition for Health Project Activity, an advocacy initiative funded by USAID, is actively working in Salima, Mzimba, and Zomba districts, led by CSONA and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The initiative aims to address critical issues related to nutrition and healthcare across these regions.