Residents lobby for hospital renovation, maternity wing

Karonga Old Town Hospital management committee chairperson Michael Mwenitete says the absence of a functional mortuary and a maternity wing at the health facility is choking the delivery of services.

He said this on Thursday at the facility when Karonga Town legislator Daniel Chitonya Mwanyongo (Malawi Congress Party) donated assorted medical supplies.

“We thank the legislator for the donation which has come at the right time when the health facility is in need of infrastructure development such as a mortuary, a maternity wing, toilets and renovation of hospital staff houses,” said Mwenitete.

While commending the legislator, the hospital in-charge Desire Bellings said the major challenge is lack of equipment to provide quality services.

Mwanyongo (R) hands over medical supplies to hospital staff. | Jordan Simeon-Phiri

“Additionally, shortage of staff is crippling the delivery of services as we treat about 250 clients per day against two clinicians who also operate from rented houses due to shortage of staff houses,” he said.

Mwanyongo said he was compelled to donate the items to complement government’s initiatives.

“The challenges are enormous because the hospital was reopened in 2024 to ease congestion at Karonga District Hospital. Soon, we will start renovating the maternity wing using the reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund,” he said.

Karonga district director of health and sanitation services David Sibale said the old hospital is set to be a well-established facility after it stopped operating when Karonga District

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