By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, April 23, Mana: People in the area of Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka have applauded Balaka District Council for constructing the K93 million health post and described this as game changer.

Since time immemorial, people from Nkaya, used to walk over 42 kilometres for medical help at Balaka District Hospital, or chose to go on 20-kilometre journey to Phimbi Health Centre.

The situation compelled Balaka Council to collaborate with other relevant authorities to construct a health post in the area using the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds.

Speaking in an interview to Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Alinafe Salibu from Nkaya Village bemoaned the long distance from Nkaya to Utale, Phimbi Health Centre or Balaka District Hospital as too challenging, adding that a lot of people lost lives in the process of seeking medical attention from distant facilities.

Said Salibu: “I was born in Nkaya, and grew up here as well, I saw people losing lives because of being denied access to medical help.

“The health facility that has been constructed is a game changer that will help us here and as a way of appreciating for this, we will guard over it by not allowing vandalism of any of the things in this facility,” she added and asked government to provide essential drugs at the new health facility to prove a game changer.

“I ask government to provide all essential drugs at the facility so that each time people go for medical help, they should be assisted so that going to Balaka DHO should only be in scenarios where one has been referred to meet specialists,” he added.

Director of Health Services at Balaka District Council, Dr Chimwemwe Thambo, said Ministry of Health has the intention to construct health facilities closer to communities.

“Construction of these health facilities will ensure that many people receive treatment without walking long distances,” Thambo said.

Director for Planning and Development for Balaka Council, Chris Nawata, said the local authority was excited with the new facility, saying it will accommodate the actual needs of the communities.

“We will soon construct staff houses so that health personnel should stay closer. As of now, services like Under Five Clinics can commence,” he said.

With funding from the World Bank, the National Local Government Finance Committee is assisting best performing councils with programme based funds.