By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, April 2, Mana: Government has announced plans to transform Chima Outpatient Department (OPD) into a fully functional maternity wing, with an investment of K61 million, aimed at improving maternal and child health services in Likoma District.

The project, funded by the Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), is set to alleviate challenges faced by expectant mothers in the area who, currently, walk long distances to access critical healthcare services.

In an interview on Monday, acting Director of Public Works for Likoma District, Shadreck Msiska, confirmed that the OPD will soon be renovated into a maternity wing.

“Construction will begin shortly once proper procedures for selecting the right bidder are concluded,” said Msiska.

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Likoma District, Chisomo Phethi, emphasized that the new maternity wing will greatly benefit maternal and antenatal health in the district.

“This will significantly improve access to maternal services considering the long distance women travel to reach St Peter’s Hospital,” said Phethi.

Phethi explained that the addition of a maternity wing at Chima Health Centre will ease the burden of accessing services such as antenatal, labour, delivery and postnatal care.

She said women in the district often miss antenatal visits in their first trimester due to long distance to the health facility.

Maria Makomela, a mother of one from Chiponde, expressed gratitude for the initiative.

She noted that it would provide the much needed relief for women who face challenges in accessing maternity services.

“It’s a struggle for us to travel to St Peter’s Hospital. Some women deliver on their way, and others tragically lose their babies. This is heartbreaking,” said Makomela.