By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, August 3, Mana: Head of Infrastructure Development in the Ministry of Health Dr Sanderson Kuyeli has said construction of Mponela Community Hospital will be completed in June 2025, which will pave the way for the opening of the facility.

He made the remarks Monday at Mponela in Dowa during a media tour organized by the Office of President and Cabinet in conjunction with the Ministry of information and digitalization, aimed at appreciating the progress of the facility.

Kuyeli said the facility whose construction started in 2019 faced some challenges like inflation, but the government is committed to have it operational mid next year.

"Because of the magnitude of the of the project, we had put it in phases. The first phase was the construction of an administration block and wards which is now 85 percent complete.

"The second phase included the kitchen, mortuary and other facilities which is now at around 40 percent. And in the third phase, we are constructing houses of which excavations and foundations have already started.

'We are planning that in the next three or four months, we should have some blocks already functioning. But ultimately, we want by June 25 all the facilities should be completed," he said.

Other facilities at the hospital will be theatres, a nutrition department, an infectious disease unit and about 46 houses.

This will be a secondary facility which will be receiving patients from health centers surrounding the area, and other complicated cases and referrals.

The hospital, whose initial cost was K7.9 billion is expected to complement Mponela rural and Dowa district hospitals.

"Looking at the district hospital, it is an old hospital. Although it is also in the plans and funds are available to build a new hospital, but it takes time. So this facility which will also have enough medical personnel fills in on the gap," said Kuyeli.

Kuyeli then said the government is committed to developing health infrastructure to ensure universal access to health services for all Malawians.

Lucia Michael Chipwaira of Chibwato village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponela in an interview said the facility will ease challenges especially pregnant women face.

"Pregnant women travel a long distance from the village to Mponela for assistance, and some deliver on their way there which poses risks to their lives. So this facility will minimize these challenges, and we are thankful to the government under the leadership of President Dr Lazarus Chakwera," she said.

Benjamin Samale of Kachulu village in TA Mponela shared the sentiments saying once the hospital opens, people will be able to get medical attention in their localities, hence cutting costs and time.

He however asked for the hospital to be completed in time.