By Martha Simchimba

Lilongwe, March 29, Mana: Government says it appreciates the role different stakeholders play in complementing its efforts in providing good health service delivery to people across the country.

Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud made the remarks on Wednesday at Chilimampunga ground in Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe during the launch of Rotary Family Health days whose aim was to bring health care services closer to the community.

Daud said what Rotary Club International is doing by bringing health services closer to the community is what government is advocating for, and called on other players to emulate the gesture, stressing that government on its own cannot manage to offer all the services.

“As government, we are so happy with this initiative because many people will have an opportunity of being diagnosed different type ailments such as eyes, ears, dental, family planning, TB, HIV and AIDS,” she said

Daudi further said the rotary family health days will also assist the people who could not have access to health facilities which are very far from where they stay.

President of the Rotary Club International Dr. Gordon Mcinally said the family health care days help to minimize the time and costs people use when visiting health facilities.

"This is the beauty of rotary family health days which are mobile clinics, we are bringing health care services closer to the people so that they should not travel long distance to access health services,” he said.

Mcinally then assured the people that they will continue working hand in hand with government in order to improve health services in the country.

in a separate interview, one of the beneficiary residing in Mtandile township Elina Kamanga expresses gratitude and excitement to rotary family health days, saying she has been visiting the hospital to know whether she had Tuberculosis (TB) or not, but no to avail.

"I want to applaud this initiative, because today they have diagnosed me with TB, and I also went to test my eyes and they have given me eye glasses. I am encouraging those who feel they have got health problems to utilize this opportunity by getting free treatment," she said.

With funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) the Rotary Club International also conducted similar initiative last year to the tune of US$3.5 million at Mitundu Community Hospital in Lilongwe.