By Salome Gangire

Neno, June 13, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi applauded Neno District Council for its reform initiatives that include establishment of a High Dependency Unit (HDU), saying reforms should directly respond to people's interests.

The Vice President met officials from Neno District Council at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre on Friday at a public sector reforms review meeting where he stated significance of accessible and improved healthcare services within the district.

“When people are sick, they should not have to travel to Blantyre to seek medical attention. They should receive care they need right there in the district,” he said, adding that reforms are meant to help institutions fulfill their mandates.

The Vice President therefore called for discipline, profession ethics on top of adherence to core values to ensure effective service delivery in line with the public sector reform.

On wheat production as outlined in Neno’s report, Usi advised the local authority to establish partnerships that can support and strengthen the wheat production to maximize profits.

The Vice President also advised the council to put in place robust monitoring and evaluation system that should track the reforms, saying Neno needs to be given special attention considering that the district has long been neglected particularly in terms of road infrastructure and development.

“I know road construction is underway, but we must expedite the process to ensure people of Neno benefit from better infrastructure,” he said, acknowledging that much of existing infrastructures in the district were constructed under Rural Growth Centers Programme, but still inadequate for effective service delivery.

Dr. Luckie Sikwese, Secretary in the Vice President’s Office responsible for Public Sector Reforms, described Neno’s reform areas as unique, noting that the district has significant potential to transform lives and advance key reform objectives.

Neno District Commissioner, Rosemary Nawasha, stated that the council is implementing three key reform areas: agricultural diversification and structured markets, irrigation development, and the establishment of a High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Neno District Hospital.

“We undertook these reforms to address the underutilized potential in wheat production, low crop yields caused by reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and the high cost of referring patients to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre for HDU services, an issue that has led to preventable deaths,” Nawasha explained.

She noted that the HDU is now operational, allowing 18 patients who would have otherwise been referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to receive care within the district.

The District Commissioner also disclosed that the council linked wheat farmers to Kasinthula Research Station to access certified seed.