President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has affirmed his government’s dedication to providing quality health services in rural areas. Speaking at the inauguration of Nthalire Community Hospital on Monday, Chakwera stated that remote areas like Nthalire are a vital part of Malawi and deserve developmental projects just as much as any other part of the country.
“We know most people walk long distances to access health care service in rural areas. My government is building and rehabilitating health facilities in rural areas so that people get health care services near their localities,” said Chakwera.
He cited Therere Clinic as an example, noting that it will soon be upgraded to a dispensary. The President also commended partners like Press Trust for their support in enhancing health services nationwide.
Sosten Gwengwe, Board Chairperson for Press Trust, announced that the organization invested over K1.2 billion to upgrade Nthalire Health Centre into a community hospital.
The project, which included the rehabilitation of the hospital’s laboratory and kitchen, as well as the construction of a mortuary and male and female wards, is expected to serve 60,000 people and 1,500 pregnant women.
Senior Chief Nthalire expressed gratitude to the government for the upgrade. He noted that the new community hospital will significantly ease the burden on residents who previously had to travel 120 km to Chitipa District Hospital for referral cases, particularly for maternity care.
