Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda on Tuesday visited Trinity Hospital in Nsanje to check on the condition of survivors of Thekelani road accident in Thyolo where nine people died on Sunday, August 18.
During the tour, the minister commended complimentary role Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) hospitals play in providing quality health services in the country citing provision of care at Trinity Hospital for the Thyolo road accident survivors.
“As Government, we want to promote partnership between government and CHAM facilities,” Chiponda added.
The minister however noted challenges the facility faces including shortage of staff adding that government will introduce incentives for health personnel to work in rural areas like Fatima in Nsanje.
She then disclosed that government has purchased health equipment which will be shared with the CHAM facilities.
Chiponda also asked the Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences to maintain high-quality standards in training the medical personnel to ensure they deliver quality health care services wherever they work.
In his remarks, Principal Administrative Officer at Trinity Hospital, William Allan said the facility has an obligation to provide wider range of health care services but pointed out that electricity blackouts and shortage of staff as the major challenges affecting service delivery.
“We have equipment but we lack human resources in the dental clinic for example,” he added.
The Thyolo accident claimed lives of eight people on the spot while one died at the facility as others were referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
The Minister also visited Osiyana health facility where she assured the community that the facility will be upgraded to a community rural hospital.
She therefore advised all stakeholders to work together to achieve the desire of upgrading the health center to a rural community hospital.
