By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, April 10, Mana: Some community members in Mzimba have asked the District Council to expedite the operationalization of some structures constructed with funding from the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Project.

The Community members said this in an interview on Tuesday that the completion of projects such as Mtuzuzu Health Post and Vibangalala maternity wing in Traditional Authority (TA) Mzukuzuku and have given hope for easy access to medical facilities.

A community member of Andrea Village in the area, Emmanuel Nkuna said they cover over 10 kilometres to Kalikumbi Health Centre to access medical help whenever they fall sick.

“We don’t have a medical facility within the vicinity. We only have an under-five clinic that treats kids only. So the construction of this Mtuzuzu Health Post by M’mbelwa District Council is a big step towards alleviation of our problems as far as medical help is concerned.

“The Mtuzuzu health post has given us hope that problems of accessibility to health facility will no longer be an issue once it is opening so we appeal to our M’mbelwa district council to ensure they operationalize it so that we start using it,” he added.

Another community member, Josephine Tembo of Vakaza Village said people encounter a lot of challenges to go to other health facilities such as Mabiri Health Post because they are far apart and it's costly to travel.

“When opened, we will no longer be covering distances to other health facilities such as Vibangalala Dispensary or Embangweni Mission Rural Hospital located very far away to access medical help. We just hope that after its completion in 2023, it will be opened this year so that we start accessing services,” she said.

Speaking on Monday during a review meeting of the GESD projects, M’mbelwa District Council Director of Planning and Development (DPD), Walter Chikuni said the council plans to operationalise the structures this year.

“The GESD funding is in and we are about to start buying all materials for all facilities we built such as health posts, Police offices, and schools. We will buy beds, mattresses and all necessitates for them to be operational,” he said.

According to the Director of Public Works at M’mbelwa District Council, Allan Chitete, Mtuzuzu Health Post was constructed in the 2022/2023 financial year under Cycle 2 of GESD to a tune of K77 million.