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| National |
| Chiradzulu, Nguludi hospitals sign pact |
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by
Joseph-Claude Simwaka, 24 February 2007
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09:18:22
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Expectant mothers from Chief Likoswe of Chiradzulu will no longer be expected to pay anything for attending antenatal clinic and delivering at St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Nguludi in the district.
The prospect arises from the signing of a service level agreement between Chiradzulu District Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital on Thursday which was graced by Archbishop of Blantyre Tarcisius Ziyaye, Cham executive director Flora Mwandira, government officials, chiefs and traditional leaders from the district.
The memorandum of understanding targets expectant mothers and babies up to one month-old delivered at Nguludi Hospital whose bills will be footed by Chirdzulu District Hospital unlike in the past when clients were expected to pay from their pockets for services rendered at the mission hospital. The agreement is effective March 1, 2007.
Speaking before signing the agreement, Archbishop Ziyaye under whose jurisdiction St. Joseph’s Hospital falls, said it was one thing to sign the agreement ands another to be committed to the terms and references of such agreement.
“It is my hope that we will keep the promise and commitment of our mutual agreement,” said Ziyaye, adding that the success of the present agreement will be detrimental to any future donor aid in this regard.
Ministry of Health Zonal Officer Leonard Banda, who was guest of honour at the function, said Chiradzulu Hospital decided to go into such an agreement with the mission hospital because on its own it could not serve all the people in Chief Likoswe, a catchment area with a population of 53,000.
Banda said the success of the programme depended on the cooperation of all interested groups. He called on traditional leaders to take stock of pregnant women in their villages and encourage them to attend antenatal clinics and go to Nguludi Hospital when their time is due for delivery instead of going to traditional birth attendants.
Health indicators show that Malawi ranks among the highest maternal mortality rates in the world at 984 deaths per 100,000 live births. Under-five mortality rate is at 133 per 100,000 children while infant mortality rate is at 76 per 100,000 births, according to statistics provided by Dr. Christopher Banda of Nguludi Hospital. These glaring indicators are attributed to long distances mothers have to cover to the nearest hospital or health centre. |
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