By Wellington Sibale

Neno, July 13, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH), a global health and social justice organization, popularly known as Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo on Friday donated three ambulances to Neno District Health Office (DHO) as one way of improving the referral system.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony at Neno District Hospital, PIH Executive Director, Basimenye Nhlema 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; thereby, 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 and the donated ambulances will help to curb negative patient outcomes that are recorded in Neno due to delayed transfer of patients from primary health Centre’s.

“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.