By the Office of Communications
There were smiles of chiefs and other people around Cape Maclear found in Mangochi district when the Catholic Health Commission which is under the Social Development Directorate of the Diocese of Mangochi expressed its hope through its determinism towards the construction of a maternity wing which will commence soon at Billy Riordan Memorial Clinic in that area. The hope is that this wing will help in minimizing maternal deaths.
The Social Development Director of the Diocese of Mangochi, Fr Raphael Nkuzi revealed this on 20th March 2024 during the official launching ceremony of this construction at this place. He said that through funds of K133,000,000 from Manos Unidas who is the donor, the project will bring a huge impact to the communities surrounding the clinic, by reducing the maternity problems during labor. He also added that through the partnership with the government, people will be able to access medical help from the hospital at a reasonable price.
Remarking on this event, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mangochi Rt. Rev. Montfort Stima, ensured that the facility will offer its services to everyone without considering the religion because the Catholic Church does not encourage discrimination. He then encouraged the communities surrounding the clinic to own the facility since they are the beneficiaries.
Apart from agreeing with what Fr. Mkuzi said, Dr. Tendai Mussa, the medical officer for Billy Riordan trust, said that having this facility at the clinic will help to complete the service package of it since women will be delivering close to their homes. He therefore said the facility will have a meaningful impact since it will reach a population of 15,000 people in the communities surrounding the hospital where 5% of the population is women.
Twende construction company will construct the facility which will take six months to be completed. The maternity wing will be constructed at Cape Maclear found in the parish of Our Lady of Victory (Nankhwali) which is one of the twenty five parishes in the Diocese of Mangochi.