A European Union (EU) funded Chikowa Health Centre in Traditional Authority (T/A) Phambala in Ntcheu is yet to open 15 years after its completion.
The clinic has facilities such as laboratory, consultation room, maternity wing, waiting area for patients and pharmacy, among others.
“We wonder why government has not deployed staff to the hospital so that it can start serving the people,” said Jolly Chikweza, one of the locals in the area.
He said people walk 12 kilometres to access medical services at Kapeni Health Centre.
Chikweza appealed to Ministry of Health to help the villagers access treatment at the facility by deploying staff.
Two women interviewed in the area, Enifa Kasiya and Sella Alfred, complained that some women give birth while in transit to Kapeni.
Village head Nyambo appealed to government to help people of the area by deploying staff.
“We have a population of about 10 000 people in 28 villages surrounding the clinic. If the clinic can be opened, many people will be helped,” he said.
Ntcheu District Health Office (DHO) officials could not be reached for comment.
But a source said the problems could be minor because Ntcheu District Hospital has many medical assistants who can be deployed to the place. n
