By Chisomo Phiri

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera today April 28,2023 officially opened the Lilongwe Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery (LION) in Lilongwe.

According to Chakwera, the facility which is within Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) premises is expected to improve the country’s capacity in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal and nervous system ailments.

He described the construction of the facility as an incredible feat as for many years Malawi has grappled with the social and economic effects of ever increasing road traffic accidents, an occurrence that puts a huge strain on our health sector.

“It is for this reason that landmark investments like this hospital speak to our health sector agenda where Malawi envisions a healthy population as a fundamental component in building a more prosperous future for all.

“I am particularly pleased with the partnership and level of coordination between the Government of Malawi and other international stakeholders in realising this state-of-the-art facility,”said Chakwera.

The president extended his special thanks to Norwegian businessman and philanthropist, Trond Mohn, and his family for their enormous contribution towards construction of the institute.

“In addition, Malawians are grateful to the Government of Norway, Haukeland University Hospital, CBM and AO Alliance Foundation for their financial and operational collaboration,” he said.

Chakwera promised that his administration will continue cooperating with development partners in investing in the health sector so that it positively impacts the socioeconomic transformation of the country.

In fact,the opening of the Lilongwe Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera , is a significant development for healthcare in Malawi.

This state-of-the-art hospital is designed to provide specialized treatment for patients suffering from orthopedic and neurosurgical conditions.

Orthopedic conditions include bone and joint problems, while neurosurgical conditions are related to the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

The establishment of LION is also a major step towards improving the quality of healthcare in Malawi as previously, patients with orthopedic and neurosurgical conditions often had to travel outside the country to access specialized treatment, which was both costly and time-consuming.

However, with the opening of LION, patients in Malawi will now have access to world-class treatment locally, reducing the need for medical tourism and improving the country’s healthcare system.

In addition to providing specialized treatment, LION is also expected to contribute to medical research and training in the field of orthopedics and neurosurgery.

This is expected to enhance the skills of medical professionals in Malawi and improve the quality of healthcare in the country.