By Burnett Munthali
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, on Wednesday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a new paediatric annexe at Ngabu Rural Hospital in Chikwawa District.
The project, valued at K181 million, marks a significant step towards improving child healthcare in the region.
The facility, once completed, will serve as a dedicated Outpatient Department (OPD) for children under the age of 12.
It is expected to be completed within 150 days from the start of construction.
The initiative is being funded and supported by Thandizo, a charitable organisation based in the United Kingdom.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mia, who is also the Member of Parliament for Chikwawa Nkombezi, said the project is part of her broader campaign pledge to uplift healthcare standards in her constituency.
She said the construction of the annexe would help ease congestion at the hospital’s main OPD, which currently accommodates both adult and child patients.
Mia emphasized that the new structure would provide a child-friendly environment, ensuring better and more focused medical care for young patients.
Director of Health Services for Chikwawa District Council, Dr. Grace Momba, welcomed the project, calling it both timely and essential.
Dr. Momba highlighted that the population served by the hospital has increased from 65,000 to 86,000 in recent years.
She noted that the rise in numbers has led to a surge in OPD attendance, particularly among children under the age of five.
Dr. Momba added that the paediatric annexe will significantly improve service delivery and patient flow at the hospital.
She also commended the collaboration between government and development partners like Thandizo, saying it was a model worth emulating in other districts.
The groundbreaking event was attended by hospital staff, local leaders, community members, and representatives from Thandizo.
With this development, Ngabu Rural Hospital is set to offer more efficient and targeted health services to its youngest patients, a move that promises to improve overall child health outcomes in the area.
