Govt, Cham yet to review MoU

Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume has told Parliament that government expects to reach an agreement with Christian Health Association of Malawi (Cham) facilities by December 20 to allow patients to access free medical care.

The minister was responding to a question Salima North-west member of Parliament (MP) Jessie Kabwila (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) asked on the status of the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

He said government was working on resolving issues surrounding access to Cham hospitals by communities in areas where there are no public hospitals.

Asked Kabwila: “You are saying the MoU will be operational in July 2016, but the discussions will be finalised in December [2015]. Why should people in the rural areas wait that long to access Cham facilities without paying? Are you being serious?”

Kumpalume admitted the discussions have taken long because government was trying to find a solution. n