By Winfrida Kamwana
Mchinji District Hospital has received a consignment of modern medical equipment and supplies worth MK2.16 billion from a non-profit organisation known as the Patriots.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday, Patriots board Chairperson, Kamuzu Chibambo, said equipping public hospitals with high quality equipment will strengthen healthcare delivery in the country.
“As citizens we believe that healthcare professionals can work efficiently when they have enough resources at their disposal. That is why we thought it wise to donate these supplies and help ease the burden these public hospitals are facing,” said Chibambo.
He further said health workers need to use the equipment with professionalism and care since the tools will be administered to Malawians who cannot afford private services and must therefore be safeguarded for lasting impact.
Director of Health Services for Mchinji, Yohane Mwale, said the donation is a major boost to the services the hospital provides as the package includes some of the equipment that the hospital lacked.
“The hospital has been operating under pressure from aging infrastructure to limited resources making it hard for us to deliver quality services, but this donation will help ease the burden and help boost the delivery of our services to our patients,” said Mwale.
Senior Chief Mduwa appreciated Patriots for the donation, describing it as a “huge impact” and that it will ease the overwhelming patient demand as the hospital also attends to patients from neighboring countries of Zambia and Mozambique.
The donation was facilitated by Patriots in Malawi and USA, in partnership with Project C.U.R.E, Islamic Relief USA and Malawi Embassy.
Among the essential medical items are hospital beds, surgical tools and diagnostic machines.
