By Aliko Munde:
Health facilities are places where people receive treatment for their illnesses. However, when not properly maintained, some health facilities become sources of infection for those seeking healthcare services.
Chisansu Health Centre is one such facility, where even health workers had abandoned the building and resorted to providing services under a tree due to its poor condition.
Chisansu is a hard-to-reach area, located at the peak of Chitipa, to the west of the famous Misuku Hills.
“These structures were in a dilapidated state and we stopped using them because they were a death trap. We used to help patients under a tree because the buildings were in such bad shape,” explains Vanessa Chikopa, who is in charge of the health centre.
- Advertisement -
In 2023, the Malawi Local Government Association (Malga), with support from Unicef, conducted an assessment of 99 health facilities to determine their condition across the country.
The Malga assessment revealed that 40 percent of the facilities sampled in Dowa, Karonga, Mzimba, Mangochi and Balaka districts required major rehabilitation, while 60 percent needed moderate repairs.
Chisansu Health Centre is just one example of the many long-established facilities in need of renovation.
The government, through the Ministry of Health, has rehabilitated the maternity wing and outpatient department at Chisansu Health Centre with K302 million in funding under the government’s health rehabilitation project.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Chikopa says the facility used to leak during the rainy season and cement plaster would fall off unexpectedly, creating a serious risk.
She says the rehabilitation of Chisansu Health Centre has motivated the health workers, who are now operating in a much more conducive working environment.
“This has improved healthcare service delivery in our facility and in the area. We didn’t have an incinerator or a placenta pit and the Medical Council of Malawi nearly closed this facility. But now it is one of the best health centres in the country,” she says.
Chisansu Health Centre currently serves a population of 13,363, including 668 expected pregnant women and 2,272 children under the age of five.
Thirty-five-year-old Mulape Msukwa of Kaleghania 2 Village, in the area of Senior Chief Mwenemisuku, applauds the government for rehabilitating the health centre.
She says it is a huge relief, as many people had stopped seeking services there for fear of contracting diseases.
“I am happy that I will deliver my fourth child in this beautiful facility. It is clean and tidy,” Msukwa says, smiling as she awaits delivery.
Sustainable Development Goal 3 supports the government’s decision to begin rehabilitation works in health facilities across the country.
The goal seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Jane Chiona, of Chisansu 2 Village in the area of Senior Chief Mwenemisuku, echoes Msukwa’s sentiments, adding that most people had stopped attending the health centre due to its poor condition.
Chiona says many residents began travelling to the Christian Health Association of Malawi facility at Kaseghe, which is nearly 30 kilometres from Chisansu.
“Despite the long distance to Kaseghe, people became used to it. We thank the government for remembering us and rehabilitating our health facility, which now looks very good,” Chiona says.
The Health Centre Rehabilitation Fund supports the promotion of Universal Health Coverage, which aims to provide healthcare and financial protection to everyone in the country.
Chitipa District Council Director of Health and Social Services, Jollings Kasondo, commends the government for the rehabilitation of Kameme and Chisansu health centres in Chitipa District.
“We are facing many challenges at Chitipa District Council, especially in the health sector. Most health centres were built a long time ago and need to be rehabilitated,” Kasondo says.
He adds that most of the problems in these areas are related to leakages, electrical faults, plumbing, painting and furniture issues.
Kasondo says government’s support has made a meaningful difference, as health workers are now motivated by working in a better environment.
“The health centre rehabilitation fund has made a significant impact and produced visible results. It has improved healthcare service delivery in both these facilities,” he explains.— Mana
