By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, March 18, Mana: Communities from Traditional Authorities (T/As) Kanyenda and Mwansambo in Nkhotakota have expressed hope and gratitude for the construction of hospital wards at Nkhunga and Mwansambo Clinics by the government.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency, Felicity Julius from T/A Kanyenda’s Nkhunga Village said the completion of Nkhunga male and female wards at the hospital brings hope for better medical attention at the clinic, citing admission space to keep patients at close supervision was missing at the facility.

“Because of lack of admission spaces, patients in critical conditions would be treated as out-patients or referred to the district hospital.

“But now we are hopeful that the completion of these wards will help our communities who need admissions for close medical supervision,” said Julius.

Henry Phaso, of Sasani Village in the area of T/A Mwansambo, is excited with the completion of a maternity wing at Mwansambo Clinic, saying pregnant women were facing a lot of problems when time to give birth came.

“We are over 70 km from the district hospital and on a bad road, referrals were difficult, and pregnant women had difficulties giving birth because of lack of a maternity wing at the hospital,” said Phaso.

Director of Planning and Development for Nkhotakota District Council, Davies Kavalo, also expressed excitement, saying procurement of equipment for the facilities is at an advanced stage, adding that the community problems in relation to this matter will soon be a past thing.

Both Nkhunga male and female wards and Mwansambo maternity ward have been constructed with funding from the World Bank under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Project to a tune of K380 million.