By Durell Namasani
The Malawian-UK Nurses Association (MUNA) successfully held its Charity Big Walk in Manchester on Saturday, bringing together members, distinguished guests, supporters and friends of Malawi in a collective effort to raise funds and awareness for the renovation and modernisation of the Short Stay Ward at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe.
The event was graced by Hon. Justice Agness Patemba, Chargé d’Affaires at the Malawi High Commission in London, who served as Guest of Honour and participated in the walk alongside MUNA members and supporters. Justice Patemba was accompanied by officials from the High Commission, including Mr MacDonald Sembereka, Counsellor for Development and Diaspora Affairs, and Mr Mclloyd Chapatali, First Secretary for Administration and Finance.
Also attending as distinguished guests were Dr Charles Kachitsa and Dr Mrs Namarica, wife of Malawi’s Secretary for Health, who joined participants in supporting the initiative. The programme opened with a prayer led by Mrs Stella Mwanza, MUNA Executive Committee member and Fundraising Lead, while Mrs Nellie Kuyeli led the closing prayer.
Walking for Better Healthcare in Malawi
The approximately 4.5-mile (7.2-kilometre) Charity Big Walk started at Village Hotel Manchester Ashton and concluded at Etihad Stadium, with designated stops at Clayton Hall and Philips Park and a photo stop at Co-op Live Arena. However, the event was about much more than completing the walking distance.
The Big Walk was organised to mobilise financial and wider support for MUNA’s ambitious project to renovate and modernise the Short Stay Ward at Kamuzu Central Hospital, one of Malawi’s major referral hospitals. The project is currently estimated to cost approximately MWK 950 million (about £450,000). Given the scale of the undertaking, MUNA recognises that achieving this goal will require strong collaboration and support from partners in Malawi, the United Kingdom and internationally.
The initiative seeks to contribute towards creating a safer, more dignified and better-equipped environment for patients requiring urgent medical care, while also improving working conditions for the healthcare professionals caring for them.
Justice Patemba Calls for Unity and Collective Responsibility
In her address, Hon. Justice Agness Patemba described the Charity Big Walk as much more than a physical activity, saying it represented compassion, unity and a shared commitment to improving healthcare in Malawi. She commended MUNA for demonstrating how Malawian healthcare professionals living and working in the United Kingdom can continue contributing to Malawi’s development through their professional knowledge, networks and resources.
Justice Patemba highlighted the important role of Kamuzu Central Hospital as one of Malawi’s major referral hospitals and emphasised that improving the Short Stay Ward would make an important contribution to the care, dignity and wellbeing of patients. A central message from her address was that a project of this magnitude cannot be achieved by one organisation or individual alone.
She therefore called upon Malawians, the diaspora and friends of Malawi worldwide to support the initiative through financial contributions, sponsorship, professional expertise, approved building materials and medical equipment, and by sharing the fundraising appeal through their networks. She also acknowledged the collaboration of the Government of Malawi, the Ministry of Health, KCH and the Malawi High Commission.
Dr Charles Kachitsa Commends MUNA’s Initiative
Addressing participants, Dr Charles Kachitsa praised MUNA for taking a practical and forward-looking step towards addressing healthcare needs in Malawi through the proposed renovation. He commended the Association for mobilising its members around an initiative with the potential to make a meaningful difference to patients, families and healthcare professionals at KCH.
Dr Kachitsa also praised MUNA’s commitment to Continuing Professional Development and its efforts to promote professional growth, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement among healthcare professionals. He highlighted the importance of investing not only in healthcare infrastructure but also in the skills and development of the healthcare workforce.
Patrick Vundule: Every Step Represents a Commitment to Give Back
In his welcome remarks, MUNA Vice President Patrick Vundule thanked the Guest of Honour, distinguished guests, members, volunteers and everyone who joined the walk. He explained that participants had come together with one shared purpose: to raise funds for the renovation of the Short Stay Ward.
He emphasised that behind the project are patients and families who depend on the hospital for urgent care, as well as healthcare professionals working tirelessly under challenging conditions. MUNA’s ambition, he said, is to contribute towards creating a safer and more dignified environment. He stressed that the Charity Big Walk should be viewed not as the end of the fundraising campaign, but as an important milestone in a much bigger journey.
Appeal for Sponsorship and Partnership
Following the successful Big Walk, MUNA is making a strong appeal to companies, charitable organisations, healthcare institutions, professional bodies, development partners and individuals to come forward as sponsors and strategic partners. With the project estimated at approximately MWK 950 million, MUNA recognises that success will depend on collective responsibility and sustained partnership.
Partners can support the project through financial contributions, corporate sponsorship, donations of approved building materials or medical equipment, professional expertise, or other practical forms of assistance. MUNA is particularly appealing to Malawians, the diaspora and friends of Malawi worldwide to embrace the project as an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to healthcare.
The Association’s message following the Big Walk is clear: the walk may have ended, but the campaign continues. MUNA welcomes organisations and individuals willing to become sponsors, donors and strategic partners, recognising that sustainable improvements in healthcare are best achieved when government, healthcare professionals, businesses and communities work together.
MUNA expressed sincere appreciation to Hon. Justice Agness Patemba, Dr Charles Kachitsa, Dr Mrs Namarica, and all members, walkers, volunteers, donors and supporters who contributed to the event’s success. Although the physical journey ended at Etihad Stadium, the journey towards transforming the Short Stay Ward continues.
Every step counted on 8 August. Every contribution will count in the journey ahead. Together, through partnership and collective action, we can help transform the Short Stay Ward and contribute towards safer, better and more dignified healthcare for the people of Malawi.
