President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has reiterated his government’s commitment to delivering quality health services to rural communities.
Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of Nthalire Community Hospital, Chakwera emphasized that remote areas like Nthalire are an integral part of Malawi and deserve the same level of development as other regions.
“We know most people walk long distances to access health care in rural areas. My government is building and rehabilitating facilities so that people receive services closer to their homes. For example, Therere Clinic will soon be upgraded to a dispensary,” Chakwera said.
The President also commended partners such as Press Trust for supporting government efforts, including the Nthalire project.
Press Trust Board Chairperson Sosten Gwengwe said the organisation invested over K1.2 billion to transform Nthalire Health Centre into a community hospital, serving 60,000 people, including 1,500 pregnant women annually.
The upgrade included rehabilitating the laboratory and kitchen, constructing a mortuary, and adding male and female wards.
Senior Chief Nthalire expressed gratitude to the government, noting that the upgrade will ease the burden on residents who previously traveled 120 kilometers to Chitipa District Hospital for referrals, especially maternity cases.
