By Suleman Chitera
Balaka District Council has unveiled an ambitious plan to procure an ambulance for each constituency, a move expected to significantly strengthen emergency health service delivery across the district.
District Commissioner for Balaka, Bibu Yusuf Mdala, announced the initiative during a meeting that brought together councillors, council officials and traditional leaders. He said the council has identified the lack of reliable emergency transport as a major challenge, particularly the district’s dependence on ambulances attached to Members of Parliament, which are often unavailable when urgent medical needs arise.
Mdala explained that the council intends to finance the procurement of the ambulances through the Community Development Fund (CDF), underscoring the council’s commitment to ensuring that development resources directly address the most pressing needs of communities.
“This is about saving lives and restoring dignity to our health system at the grassroots level,” Mdala said. “When emergencies occur, communities should not be left helpless because an ambulance is unavailable or committed elsewhere.”
He expressed optimism that the intervention will reduce delays in accessing medical care, especially for expectant mothers, accident victims and patients requiring urgent referrals to higher-level health facilities. The initiative is also expected to ease pressure on existing health facilities and improve response times in hard-to-reach areas.
Traditional leaders and councillors present at the meeting welcomed the plan, describing it as a timely and people-centred investment that aligns with the district’s broader development priorities. They said improved access to ambulances will enhance community confidence in public health services and contribute to better health outcomes.
The Balaka District Council says the constituency-based ambulance initiative forms part of its wider strategy to strengthen health infrastructure and ensure that no community is left behind in accessing essential services.
