By Patience Harawa

Karonga, January 22, Mana: Deputy Minister of Health, Noah Chimpeni has said construction of a state of the art gas plant at Karonga District Hospital will save lives of lots of people in the northern region.

Chimpeni made the sentiment on Tuesday when he toured the construction site for the gas plant being funded by the World Bank through Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) to the tune of $1.8 million.

He said the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Malawi’s health system and improve patient care.

“This oxygen plant will revolutionize healthcare in Karonga and surrounding districts. It is a game-changer, especially for patients with severe conditions like pneumonia, COVID-19 complications, and other respiratory challenges,” Chimpeni said.

"It will not only save lives of people in Karonga but the whole northern region by ensuring a reliable supply of medical oxygen for critical cases such as respiratory illnesses, surgical procedures and emergency care," he added.

According to the acting Director of Planning and Development for Karonga District Council, Khumbo Mkandawire, the plant is expected to produce medical-grade oxygen on-site hence it will reduce dependency on external suppliers and improve response times in emergency situations.

"Construction of the oxygen gas plant is expected to be completed by March 2025. Once operational, it will become one of several such facilities established nationwide to combat shortages of medical oxygen, an issue that came into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mkandawire.

She added that currently, Karonga District Hospital procures oxygen from Afrox and Nkhoma Mission Hospital in Lilongwe which is costly considering the long distances.

In his remarks, Chairperson for Karonga District Council, Bellium Msukwa urged the contractors to maintain high standards of workmanship and ensure timely completion of the project.

“This facility is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration between the government, international partners, and local stakeholders,” said Msukwa.