KCH Paediatric ward gets refurbished

Alliance One Tobacco Malawi Limited has refurbished the Kamuzu Central Hospital’s (KCH) Paediatric ward and constructed a new Ablution block to enhance sanitation issues at the ward.

Alliance One Tobacco Malawi Limited corporate affairs manager Fran Malila said yesterday after officially handing over the facilities that the company has strong relationship with KCH and has been supporting it for the past seven years.

She said: “Malawi, as with the rest of the world, is experiencing Covid-19 and hospitals have been hit severely. In all the chaos and attention towards the pandemic, we must never forget that the hospital still treats different cases, hence as a company we thought it wise to help with the Paediatric section”.

She said as a commitment to saving people’s lives, the company spent K30 million to paint the whole ward, and did maintenance works involving electrical, plumbing, carpentry and construction of the new Ablution block.

KCH deputy director Carolyn Mwalwanda hailed the company for the support saying weekly, they do receive over 400 paediatric cases meaning the number reaches 800 inclusive of guardians for the children hence sanitation remains a headache as majority comes from rural areas.

She said: “We needed these structures to be renovated for the best delivery of our services. The paediatric ward was not conducive for patients hence the company’s intervention will greatly save many lives of our children”.

While calling for others to emulate Alliance One, Mwalwanda said development should not be left to the government alone because there are competing needs at its disposal amid inadequate resources.

Alliance One Tobacco Malawi Limited is amongst the country’s key tobacco buying companies.