No electricity, running water at health centre for 33 years

Ngana community members in Senior Chief Mwakaboko in Karonga have asked government to connect Ngana Health Centre to electricity and running water.

In an interview, group village head Mwandambo said the situation is affecting safe motherhood in the area.

He said: “The facility was constructed by the Kamuzu Banda regime, but up to now there is no electricity and running water.

“That time the road was rehabilitated and was passable all year round. But since 1994, no government has rehabilitated the 15 kilometre Songwe Border-Ngana Road.”

Mwandambo also asked for a community day secondary school,  (CDSS) saying the area has 14 primary schools with one CDSS at Kaporo.

Karonga North legislator Mungasulwa Mwambande(Democratic Progressive Party) said he will appeal to government for the rehabilitation of the road.

“I will also ask for potable water and electricity at the facility,” he said.

In a separate interview, Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda said her ministry was aware of the challenges.

She said: “These problems are affecting health service delivery not only at Ngana, but a number of health facilities. Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi is burdened to satisfy the demand despite introducing Malawi Rural Electrification Programme.

“So, we might consider installing solar panels as a short-term solution.”

According to Karonga District Health Office, Ngana Health Centre serves about 3 000 people, including from Tanzania.