By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, April 25, Mana: People of Kamwala in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kabunduli in Nkhata Bay are pleased to see a K48 million Kamwala Health Clinic and staff house construction project completed.

The structures have been built under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Program with the goal of bringing child and expectant women health care services closer to the community.

Speaking Wednesday when media toured the facility, Leni Mwale, a mother of two from the area said under five children can now get required vaccines as the clinic is operational.

"As I am speaking, my baby has already been given one of the vaccines. We do not need to travel to Mapale Health Centre in Mzuzu for similar services including family planning methods,” said Mwale.

She appealed to authorities to consider bringing piped water to the facility and later upgrade it into a dispensary.

Health Surveillance Assistant in the area, McCloud Kaunda, said currently mothers and about 1,250 under five children get disease preventive, health promotive, curative and education services which contributes to a health community.

Councillor for Chitheka Ward in Nkhata Bay West Constituency, Patrick Manda, said the clinic is a sigh of relief to the community.

"With the topography of the area and Nkhata Bay in general, it was hard for expectant mothers to walk long distances to access health services in Mzuzu.

He, therefore, commended government for the development and assured community members that authorities will continue to lobby for funds to have piped water and solar power connected to the facility.

Nkhata Bay District Council Director of Planning and Development, Edgar Chihana, was impressed with the impact of GESD projects on communities in the district.

“These projects contribute to improved service delivery. I urge communities to have a sense of ownership over the structures for them to last long.

GESD is implemented through National Local Government Finance Committee.