Community leaders in Paramount Chief Kyungu’s area in Karonga District have asked authorities to open a maternity wing at Mwenilondo Health Centre.

The leaders have also demanded authorities to construct a maternity wing at Mlare Clinic.

Speaking on Friday in the district during a meeting between community leaders and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), group village head Mwangolera said pregnant women walk long distances to Karonga District Hospital for antenatal services.

Mwangolera: Women walk long distances

“We commend CHRR for their health governance project because people are able to engage duty-bearers and provide checks and balances on various projects,” she said.

Karonga District Hospital spokesperson Estery Nyirenda said the council is constructing a house for a health worker at Mwenilondo Health Centre.

He said once it is completed, her office will deploy a nurse for the maternity wing to open.

“The concerns are being addressed because the maternity wing at Mlare Health Centre will be completed with K52 million from the 2022/23 Governance to Enable Service Delivery Project funds while at Lupembe, the facility will be opened soon,” said Nyirenda.

CHRR programmes manager Thandizo Mphwiyo said she was impressed with the outcome of the meeting.

“Community leaders have expressed a number of concerns about challenges chocking health service delivery in their health facilities,” she said.

With funding from Oxfam, CHRR is implementing a health governance project in the district.

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