By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, May 16, Mana: Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for Likoma, Dr Gracewell Mathewe has described construction of a staff house at Chima Health Centre in the district as a milestone in health service delivery at the facility.

He said the K18 million house, constructed using Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds has reduced accommodation challenges at the facility and has led to improved provision of health services.

in an interview Thursday, Mathewe said before construction of the staff house, all health workers were residing far away from the Health Centre hence patients were not getting health services at the right time.

“It is important for staff to reside near their work place, however, before the construction of the house, all staffs used to live far away from the Health Centre. This affected their service delivery because patients could not be assisted on time.

“I felt it was important, together with the management for the district, to lobby that the first chunk of GESD Project funds should go towards the health sector. I am happy that all sectors involved including the council approved that the money should go towards the construction of the house,” Mathewe explained.

Nurse and Midwife Technician for Chima Health Centre, Lyson Kasakatiza thanked the council for the house saying it has helped in improving quality of health services to community members.

“People are able to access health services anytime including at night and during weekends unlike in the past when I used to stay away from the health center. It was challenging to walk long distances every day because I could reach at work tired,” he said.

Director of Public Works (DPW) for Likoma, Shadrick Msiska said the council has constructed a second staff house at the facility which was expected to be handed over by the end of this month.