By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, August 19, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has commended health workers for working hard in delivering required health care services in difficult conditions to promote good health and save people's lives.

Usi was speaking Monday when he visited Nthenje Health Centre in the area of Senior Chief Mwankhunikira in Rumphi where he once worked when he was an employee of the Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA).

He said the health facility was one of the facilities that provided quality healthcare at the time he worked at ADRA and toured the Centre to appreciate its present condition so that he can channel challenges to relevant authorities for redress.

Usi added that he visited the facility to interact with health workers, particularly health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and motivate them in their profession.

"HSAs work in very tough conditions to prevent disease outbreaks in various communities through disease surveillance and sensitization.

“You sometimes feel that your work is not recognized, but I want to assure you that we know the importance of your work and we value it," said Usi.

Director of Health and Social Services for Rumphi District Council, Dr. Arnold Jumbe, said the facility no longer offers maternity services to its catchment population since the termination of Service Level Agreement with Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM).

The agreement, among others, enables people to access specific health services at CHAM facilities whose cost is borne by government.

District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, asked the Vice President to engage relevant institutions to ensure that the facility is connected to electricity.

In-Charge of the health Centre, Kingsley Phaliyawo, said the facility is run as a private health Centre and as such, most people cannot afford to pay for services.

Senior Chief Mwankhunikira appealed to the Vice President to play a facilitation role to ensure that the stated challenges are resolved.

Nthenje Health Centre is owned by Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) and started providing health services in the area over 50 years ago.

Usi later in the day interacted with people with whom he worked and served when he was at ADRA at Mkwaila Village in the same area.