By Benedicto Maguda

Blantyre, October 26, Mana: Mayor for Blantyre City Council (BCC), Joseph Makwinja on Saturday visited and cheered up children at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).

During the visit, the Mayor accompanied by his deputy, Isaac Jomo Osman and other councilors from the city council cheered children on the cancer, orthopedic and neurosurgeon wards.

The Mayor distributed assorted groceries to the hospital in the children’s ward. According to Makwinja, the hospital visit is one of the initiatives and a dream he has had from day one when he ascended to the mayoral office in August this year.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (Mana) after the hospital visit, Makwinja said they decided to visit the children’s ward to cheer the kids because they are future leaders.

“It is important to support our children who are in hospitals because they are the ones who shall be our leaders tomorrow that is why for the first time, we are starting with them then in December we have plans to come and cheer patients in the other wards at QECH,” he said.

Makwinja, however, asked organizations, individuals to come out and join hands with BCC to help people who are sick in hospitals.

“We are asking well-wishers to come and assist people who are suffering with different diseases in the hospitals because they are lacking different things, I have seen how children are struggling in the hospital; therefore, they need our help,” he said.

Makwinja also asked health workers to continue with their selfless spirit in caring for the children, noting that BCC appreciates the important role health workers play in the delivery of health care services particularly to children who are mostly very vulnerable.

He, therefore, thanked various companies such as FDH Bank and NBS Bank, among others, for taking part in the Mayor’s initiative.

Principal Nursing Officer at QECH, Loness Kanyemba thanked BCC for the initiative, describing it as timely.

“We are so grateful as a hospital because a lot of children are referred here from most parts of the country especially from Southern region and most of them struggle to get their daily needs especially food, so we really appreciate for the donation,” she said.

On her part, Margret Olive Davie, a guardian to a three-year-old child said she is very happy because she has been lacking some groceries brought by the Mayor.

“I want to thank those who organized this initiative, God should bless them, and they should do the same to other people as well,” she said.

BCC donated various items such as Sobo Squash, Milk, Soya pieces, cooking oil, laundry soap, among other necessities. At least 70 children have benefited from the donation.