Japanese government hands-over operating theatre to Montfort Hospital

The Bishop of the Diocese of Chikwawa, Right Reverend Peter Musikuwa on Thursday, 20th May 2021 led the people of Chikwawa in cerebrating the hand-over ceremony of a state of the art operating theatre which was collaboratively donated to St Montfort Hospital by the Embassy of Japan, Action Medeor and Dzukawala Women group.

Seating as the Proprietor of the hospital, Bishop Musikuwa, franked by several dignitaries, led the highly decorated occasion which came as a sigh of relief for the local communities. Built to the tune of 60 million Kwacha (excluding equipment and furniture), the new theatre replaces an old theatre which was, at best, archaic.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Bishop Musikuwa described the new facility as a life-saving blessing to the people of Chikwawa and beyond.

“This is a moment which we all have been craving for. We have always been praying for quality health services in our hospitals and this is another memorable milestone. Surely, this facility will go another step to enhance the healing ministry of the Church”. Said Bishop Musikuwa

He also expressed gratitude to the donors and further urged hospital staff to put the theatre to its right use. “Words will fail me if I am to express how thankful the diocese of Chikwawa is to the people of Japan and fellow well-wishers. This is an expensive gift and you have proved to be true freinds. Let me also urge management and Staff of St Montfort to ensure that the theatre is being used effectively to the benefit of the people” He said.

The handover ceremony was decorated by the presence of several dignitaries including, Paramount Chief Lundu, Member of Parliament for the area, Salimu Bagus, Acting District Commissioner, Dr Zimkanda, and officials from Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM). It was also spiced up by performances in the arrangement of poetry, traditional dances and music.

Speaking after officially handing-over the facility, Japanese Deputy Ambassador to Malawi, who was also Guest of honor, Hirotsugu Ikeda, expressed contentment with how the Hospital authorities have managed their donated funds for the project. He also urged other partners including Malawi government and Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) to continue supporting the facility in order for the hospital to serve the targeted community better.

In their collaboration, the Embassy of Japan granted 60 million kwacha which cartered for the construction of the facility while Action Medeor furnished the facility with the much needed equipment at a cost of 80 million Malawi kwacha. On the other hand, Dzukawala women Group donated furniture for the theatre which amounted to 2.8 million Malawi Kwacha.

According to acting DC for Chikwawa, Dr Zimkanda, Chikwawa district had only two hospitals with Operating theatres, a situation which has been contributing to high maternal mortality rates. He therefore expressed hope for a drop in the same with launch of the new facility.

“Indeed, the new facility will enhance the Hospital’s services provided to the 180, 000 people in its vicinity. When operations start, the theatre will be providing emergency and general services to pregnant women and the general community” Said Zimkanda.

Meanwhile, the Hospital’s authorities are still sounding an SOS for the upgrading of the hospital’s mortuary which is in a dilapidated state.