Health Ministry speaks on stalled projects

The Ministry of Health has bemoaned the number of projects that have stalled in the health sector, with some stalling as far back as 2007.
Minister responsible, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, cited health centres and staff houses as some of the affected structures.
She said this in Dedza District Tuesday, when she opened a K120 million operation theatre at Dedza District Hospital (DDH).
The facility has been constructed using funds from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
“We, as a new administration, are committed to finishing these projects because projects are implemented for a reason,” Kandodo Chiponda said.
She said the theatre would also be serving those involved in accidents as Dedza District lies along the M1 Road.
UNFPA Country Representative Young Hong said the facility would help reduce cases of maternal death as women would be able to access Caesarean Section services when the need arises.
DDH conducts more than 200 operations, including on pregnant women, monthly.

Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.