By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 1, Mana: MOMENTUM Tikwese Umoyo Project on Tuesday donated medical equipment and supplies to Chitipa District Health Office (DHO) as one way of contributing towards the reduction of maternal and neonatal deaths in the district.

District Data Officer for the project, Naomi Mkhutche said the items are meant to improve health service delivery to expectant mothers, newborn babies and under-five children.

“Chitipa is one of the districts with high maternal related deaths. As a project, one of our goals is to reduce these deaths, hence the donation.

“We will make sure that the items are delivered in specific health facilities and are used appropriately,” said Mkhutche.

Matron for Chitipa District Hospital, Nie Nyirenda, saluted the project for the donation which she described as a timely intervention.

She said the hospital is overwhelmed with referral cases from the district’s farthest health facilities such as Nthalire, Wenya and Misuku some of which are 120 kilometres from the boma.

“We may have the knowledge and skills on how to handle such cases, but this cannot work without equipment. The equipment will help in self-delivery for mothers and care for the neonates,” said Nyirenda.

Nyirenda assured the organization that the equipment will be taken care of, for it to last long and serve the intended the purpose.

Director of Administration for Chitipa District Council, Clement Gonthi, said the donation is timely and was hopeful that it will contribute towards the reduction of referral cases from health centres to the district hospital as well as from district hospital to Mzuzu Central Hospital.

The donation, which is worth US$ 472,005.82, includes examination couches, suction machines, autoclave sterilizing machines, ultrasound mobile scanning machines, anti-shock garments, foetal scopes, blood pressure machines, anglepoised lamps, oxygen concentrators and cylinders.

A similar donation has been made to Salima, Nkhotakota, Kasungu and Karonga.