Everlasting Life Ministry church has donated clothes to patients living with mental illnesses at Zomba Mental Hospital.
Speaking during the donation ceremony, Social Worker for Everlasting Life Ministry, Catherine Chikopa, said the church was compelled to help after learning that many patients are discharged from the hospital without proper clothing.
She explained that some patients tear their own clothes due to their condition, leaving them with little or nothing to wear when returning home.
Chikopa said this was the first time the church had provided clothing assistance to patients at the hospital. In total, the church donated about 1,300 items of clothing, packed in 32 cartons.
She noted that many people are unaware that patients with mental illnesses at Zomba Mental Hospital lack basic necessities such as clothes and other essential items.
Chikopa appealed to churches, organizations, and well-wishers to support patients with mental illnesses at the facility, emphasizing that the government alone cannot meet all the hospital’s needs.
“We are impressed with the warm reception we received from the management at Zomba Mental Hospital, and we are satisfied with the way they are caring for patients with mental illnesses,” she said.
In his remarks, Principal Nursing Officer at Zomba Mental Hospital, Pascal Kalolo, thanked Everlasting Life Ministry for the donation.
Kalolo said the hospital currently accommodates over 600 patients, many of whom lack clothing because they sometimes tear their clothes due to their condition. As a result, the hospital is often forced to provide patients with clothes belonging to members of staff.
He also appealed to well-wishers to visit the hospital and assist patients with various essential items.
