Construction of Makumbo Dispensary in Nkhata Bay District has elevated the hope of communities for improved health services.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Makumbo Area Development Committee chairperson Symon Chirwa said the dispensary will help people access health services within the locality.

Currently people in Makumbo travel to Jenda in Mzimba to access medical services.

“Many lives have been lost and expectant mothers have been giving birth whilst on their way to the hospital. As such, the dispensary will help ease such challenges,” said Chirwa.

Makumbo Mother Group chairperson Getrude Mhone hopes the new facility will deal with challenges which women face in accessing health services.

Group village head Mbalambala, in whose area the facility is being constructed, said he expects to see improved community participation in developmental activities.

He pledged that he will play a watchdog role to ensure that incidents of theft of construction materials and medical equipment are kept on check.

Nkhata Bay District Council director of public works Ellias Mkandawire said they resorted to constructing the facility after considering the hardships communities face.

He said the K68 million project, which includes installation of solar power system, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“The council is convinced that the project is of good standard, having agreed necessary conditions with the contractor,” said Mkandawire.

Makumbo dispensary is one of the projects under Governance to Enable Service Delivery programme in the district.

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