By Burnett Munthali
The Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi has successfully completed the construction of a village clinic shelter in Kambali Village, Group Village Head Mabuka, Mulanje District, aimed at enhancing access to health services for children under the age of five. This development is expected to significantly ease the burden on local mothers who previously had to travel long distances to access healthcare for their young children.
Fr. Kamandani Willard, Chaplain of the Anglican Church, expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, noting that the new clinic will address the pressing issue of limited healthcare access. “This clinic shelter is a response to the difficulties women in the village faced when seeking medical attention for their children. By bringing health services closer to the community, we hope to improve child healthcare outcomes,” said Fr. Willard.
Local resident Justina John shared her relief about the newly constructed facility, explaining that it will help save both time and money. “In the past, we had to walk long distances to reach the nearest clinic, which cost us not only money for transport but also valuable time. This shelter is a huge relief for us, especially for mothers with young children,” she said.
Health Surveillance Assistant Joseph Spoon echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the broader impact of the facility on maternal and child health. He highlighted that the shelter will contribute to reducing maternal deaths in the area by ensuring timely medical attention and creating a safer, cleaner environment for healthcare services.
The construction project was made possible through funding from the Seed Sowers Trust, facilitated by the Tiakonde project, at a cost of 5.5 million kwacha. The new clinic shelter marks a vital step forward in improving the quality of life for families in Kambali Village and the surrounding areas, providing much-needed healthcare services to the most vulnerable members of the community.
This initiative is part of a wider effort by the Anglican Church and its partners to address healthcare challenges in rural Malawi, with a focus on ensuring that no community is left behind in accessing essential health services.
