By Burnett Munthali
The newly appointed Nkhata Bay District Commissioner, David Gondwe, has called on CLADS Construction Company to expedite the construction of the operation theatre at Chintheche Community Hospital.
The facility is located in the area of Senior Chief Malanda, and the commissioner emphasized the urgent need for surrounding communities to start benefiting from surgical services.
Gondwe made this appeal on Tuesday during a monitoring visit to the site, where he sought to appreciate the progress of the construction works.
However, he expressed disappointment with the pace of the project, noting that it was supposed to be completed by March 31, 2025, yet it currently stands at only about 80 percent completion.
Speaking during the visit, Managing Director of CLADS Construction Company, Daniel Phiri, acknowledged the delays, citing two main challenges.
He pointed out that they had encountered setbacks in procuring treated timber, which is a key material in the construction process.
Additionally, Phiri mentioned that heavy rains had also slowed down their progress, especially during the peak of the rainy season.
Despite the delays, Phiri assured the district council that the company is committed to completing the facility within the set deadline.
The construction of the operation theatre is being financed through the Hospital Rehabilitation Fund, with the Nkhata Bay District Council overseeing the project.
The project is funded by the National Local Government Finance Committee and is valued at K365 million.
Once completed, the operation theatre is expected to significantly improve access to surgical and emergency medical services for communities in Chintheche and surrounding areas.
Commissioner Gondwe reiterated the importance of accountability and timely delivery in public infrastructure projects, especially in the health sector.
He concluded his visit by urging the contractor to double efforts and ensure that the remaining 20 percent of the work is finalized without further delays.
