Malawi’s cement company in K100m hospital project

Shayona Cement Company plans to build a modern hospital worth K100 million (about $333 333) in Senior Chief Wimbe’s area in the central Malawi district of Kasungu.

The company’s managing director, Jintendra Kumar Patel said on Friday in Kasungu when he took Energy and Mining minister Dr Cassim Chilumpha on a tour of the site where the project will be constructed.

The company has already constructed a clinic and a primary school which has 10 school blocks.

“The current health centre is too small for the population here; that is why we want to construct a bigger hospital. It is our obligation to the people here, but at the same time, I’m fulfilling my mother’s wish,” said Patel.

He said once the hospital is completed in 2013, the company will hand it over to the government.

“We are in mining business and our job is not to run hospitals. We will leave that to the government and the church,” said Patel.

The health clinic, which the company has already built, was given to the Anglican Church.

Chilumpha thanked Patel for being appreciative to the community they are operating in.

“You have demonstrated that you are committed to your social responsibility. It is important that the people here benefit as well from the proceeds of the mining through such projects as this,” he said.

Chilumpha, who also had a tour of the mine and the cement factory, said government has put mining among the priorities in the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP).

“I have heard the problems you are facing such as poor roads and electricity back up. On electricity, I can assure you that we’ll solve that problem so that you have uninterrupted service,” assured the minister.

Member of Parliament for the area Msulira Banda and Senior Chief Wimbe were also present during the tour of the site.