Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda yesterday welcomed Israeli medical doctors who are visiting to assess progress in the construction of the Cancer Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe.
In an interview yesterday, the minister said the completion rate of the centre is at 95 percent and that it will be operational upon full completion on fitting in equipment.
She said: “However, government will lean on the Israel medical doctors, especially oncologists, some of whom are already in the country for a week-long assessment of the cancer centre where they will appreciate areas that will need support.”
Besides visiting the centre yesterday, the Israeli delegation also donated 10 000 Covid-19 test kits to the ministry.
The doctors’ visit follows President Lazarus Chakwera’s declaration that Malawi will open an embassy in Jerusalem. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eisenhower Mkaka also visited the country in October this year.
Israeli Deputy Ambassador Eyal David said in a separate interview yesterday that his country is part of nations which are fighting against the virus.
He said: “This is something that we are in together. We are fighting the pandemic together. This is only the beginning; whatever you may need we are your friends.
“We have been having a working relationship with Malawi since 1964… This gives us a start for collaborating in so many fields, health being one of the most important of them.”
David said although the delegation is focusing on the cancer centre during this visit, his government will broaden their interests into other fields such as agriculture to ensure food security.
The visiting medical team will be in the country until Thursday.
