Community demands electricity at health centre

Community members in Traditional Authority Nazombe in Phalombe have asked the District Health Office (DHO) to electrify Gogo Nazombe Health Centre.

The people made the call on Monday during a meeting at the facility organised by Development Communications Trust (DCT) and Nazombe Radio Listening Club.

A community member, Annie Bernard, said the facility has no power supply 10 years after it opened.

“It is difficult to get services at night because there is no power supply,” she said.

In his response, Phalombe DHO spokesperson Daniel Chilomo said they were aware of the problem.

“However, the DHO is responsible for providing airtime and paying electricity bills, not to facilitate power connection to facilities,” he said.

In his remarks, Phalombe district commissioner Rodrick Mateauma said it was important to facilitate power connection to the facility.

“We will discuss with this area’s legislator [Phalombe Central] to see if we can use part of Constituency Development Fund and other sources to bring power to the facility,” he said.

With funding from Oxfam in Malawi, the DCT is examining how Covid-19 has affected the delivery of health services in the district.