By Evance Chisiano

Zomba, January 18, Mana: A group of men by the name of Texas Boys on Saturday donated 12 mattresses worthy K1.2 million to Bimbi Health Center in the area of Traditional Authority Kuntumanji in Zomba following an appeal for waterproof mattresses in the postnatal ward where patients have been sleeping on worn out bed materials.

The group which comprised men that stayed in Zomba town from the 1970s to the early 2000s mobilized financial resources from its WhatsApp group members to buy PVC mattresses.

Receiving the donation, Group Village Head Kumbwani hailed the group for responding to one of Bimbi Health Center’s dire needs, saying the donation was timely following the poor condition of mattresses in the postnatal ward, consultation room and waiting ward.

“We have worn-out mattresses. This donation is just a nice response to the facility’s challenge,” the group village head added.

Bimbi Health Centre serves a population of more than 26,000 from four group village heads namely; Kumbwani, Bimbi, Namadingo and Liphalo.

Group Village Kumbwani therefore said the donation will create a conducive environment for health delivery per the expectations of the community around the health facility.

Facility in Charge at Bimbi Health Centre, Dalitso Napawa said the postnatal ward requires PVC, waterproof mattresses saying the Texas Boys’ donation is the right and timely response to the health centre’s dire need.

Of the 12 donated mattresses, the postnatal ward has been given seven mattresses, while five mattresses have been allocated to consultation rooms and another ward that accommodates patients who await referral to Zomba Central Hospital for further medical attention.

A member of Texas Boys Charles Mukiwa said they felt duty-bound to help the Health Centre after learning that the facility had many challenges like mattresses.

“We learnt that there was a dire need of mattresses in the wards and we are glad to have helped,” he added.

In 2024 the Texas Boys rehabilitated and painted a guardian shelter at Zomba Central Hospital.

Texas Boys has 167 members on its WhatsApp forum.