By Yamikani Yapuwa
People at Senior Chief Mphuka’s area in Thyolo are expected to access improved healthcare services within the next three months as construction of a new health post worth K240 million will start soon under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project which will benefit over 10,000 people upon completion.
Speaking at the project’s launch on Thursday at Chilengo Community Based Organisation at Group Village Head Mkwata, Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga, said the Council is committed to continue improving healthcare services across the district.
He added that the new health post is one of several being constructed to address healthcare challenges faced by local communities.
“This health post will greatly alleviate difficulties that people in this area encounter when seeking medical services.
“When we received the GESD funds for this phase, we prioritised construction of a health post for people in this area,” Kuphanga said.
He assured people Mkwata and surrounding areas that they should expect construction of the facility to be completed in 120 days.
He pledged that the Council will closely monitor the project to ensure quality work and timely completion.
“We will be doing weekly monitoring to ensure that this project is completed within the specified timeframe.
“We are committed to upholding high standards and we will not allow the contractor to compromise on the quality of the infrastructure.” he said, adding that Thyolo District Council set high benchmark for infrastructural projects in the district to ensure quality that meets communities’ expectations.
Member of Parliament for Thyolo Thava, Mary Thom Navicha, welcomed the project saying construction of the health post was ideal to people in the area for improved health care.
“The nearest health facility is Thyolo District Hospital at Thyolo Boma, which is very far from here.
“Traveling there is expensive and this has, unfortunately, led to loss of lives along the way,” said Navicha who also assured the Council that community members will take good care of the new health post to ensure it serves future generations.
A community member, Mary Bandawe, from Group Village Loti said Chilengo Health Post will provide essential services to a lot of expectant women as they will access antenatal services closer.
“Many women deliver at home because of distance to Thyolo District Hospital. The new health post will improve things. Under five children will also benefit from the facility because of its proximity.
“Most mothers fail to take their children to health facilities for under-five clinics due to the long distance from this village as such they deny their children essential vaccines for immunisation,” said Bandawe.
GESD Project is a US$100,000 dollar grant from the World Bank and is implemented by all qualifying local authorities through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC)
