TNM Mpambe Trust has installed a solar power system at Emsizini Health Centre in Mzimba which was using candles to help women deliver at night. The mobile money service fund has also donated medical equipment to the facility to improve health service delivery in the country. The donation is worth K13 million.
Speaking after handing over the equipment on Thursday, TNM Mpamba Trust Fund board member the Reverend Zacc Kawalala said they were concerned with the plight of Emsizini and surrounding communities. He said the health sector, especially maternal health, is one of the key focus areas for TNM’s social responsibility policy which includes support for vulnerable groups, response to disasters and emergencies and education.
“Power supply has been a major challenge facing our public health facilities in the country hence hindering effective service delivery by medical personnel working odd hours; hence, our intervention,” said Kawalala.
Emsizini Health Centre in-charge Vitumbiko Zingale said lack of electricity at the facility affected the delivery of quality health services. “We depended on candles when assisting women to deliver at night. Sometimes the hospital could run our of the candles and that affected our work,” she said. Located 12 kilometres from Ekwendeni Mission Hospital, Emsizini Health Centre has a catchment area of 110 000 people.
(Source: The Nation Malawi, Tuesday, 22 January 2019)