By Burnett Munthali
Government has warned health workers against vandalising or stealing medical equipment in public health facilities, saying such acts undermine service delivery and will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Minister of Health and Sanitation, Madalitso Baloyi, issued the warning on Tuesday during the official opening of Khwisa Health Centre in Balaka District, emphasising the need for health workers to protect public property.
Baloyi said government is prioritising the health sector under its development agenda and remains committed to delivering quality health care through strengthened health systems, a move that requires collective efforts from all stakeholders.
She further said the upgraded Khwisa Health Centre will help decongest Balaka District Hospital, improve working conditions for health personnel and increase access to quality health services for surrounding communities, aligning with the government’s push for equitable healthcare access.
The Minister’s warning comes amidst concerns over the vandalism of medical equipment in public health facilities, which has been a perennial challenge in Malawi’s healthcare system, often crippling service delivery.
Deputy Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy, Susanne Melti, called on Government to ensure adequate funding for maintenance of the new infrastructure, strengthen asset management systems and deploy sufficient health personnel to sustain service delivery, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in healthcare development.
The K2.1 billion Khwisa Health Centre was constructed through the Health Services Joint Fund (HSJF), with support from the Governments of Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom, demonstrating the collaborative efforts in improving Malawi’s healthcare infrastructure.
The facility, which will serve about 1,500 households as well as surrounding areas in Ntcheu and Mangochi districts, comprises a maternity ward, dispensary, laboratory block, mothers’ waiting home and staff houses, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to enhance healthcare access in rural areas.
