‘Maternity wing vital for safe motherhood’
M
inister of Health Khumbize Chiponda says a maternity wing is critical in the pursuit of safe motherhood.
She said this on Tuesday when she officially opened a maternity wing constructed by the Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Aid at Lulanga Health Centre in Mangochi District.
Chiponda said the facility will solve maternal health challenges in the area.
She said: “Previously, women used to travel about 130 kilometres to Mangochi District Hospital to deliver.
“Looking at the condition of the road [Mangochi-Makanjira Road], women were suffering.”
Chiponda encouraged women in the area to always seek medical attention when they are pregnant to promote safe motherhood that government is determined to achieve.
Norwegian Church Aid-Danish Church Aid country director Havard Hovdhaugen said the organisation is always pleased to be of help to the people of Malawi in the area of health, among others.
He also said they constructed three staff houses at the facility.
On his part, Chief Lulanga said the facility will reduce the number of maternal referrals to Mangochi District Hospital.
The health centre serves a population of about 42 000 and records an average of 110 deliveries per month.
