Lifeline for Likuni Hospital: Patriots Malawi Delivers Medical Aid

The Patriots Malawi, a non-profit organization, has today 20^th November 2024, delivered a donation of medical equipment and supplies to Likuni Mission Hospital of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

According to the Chairman of the grouping, Kamuzu Chibambo, this is a project which is aimed at addressing the shortage of essential medical equipment in Malawi’s healthcare system.

“We prioritized the health sector because of the acute shortages that are in our hospitals today. Some of our fellow Malawians are dying not because their sicknesses or diseases or the challenges they’re going through are not preventable. These are preventable. But when you go to the hospitals, when you don’t have adequate equipment, when you don’t have adequate medication, some of the challenges we find is that our fellow Malawians are losing their lives prematurely,” he said.

Chibambo added that the phase 1 of the project targets central, district, and mission hospitals with 50 containers (each worth $1.2 billion) and that Phase 2 will focus on community hospitals and health clinics.

However, he has urged hospitals to implement strict measures to ensure proper care and control of the donated supplies.

“Instead of this equipment serving the ordinary Malawian, you find that these things, they grow legs into private hospitals. Now, we, as patriots, together with all our partners, we face over condemn this malpractice. We are our message to the whole nation. Our message to all hospitals is that this malpractice must end here and now,” he warned.

Chibambo has since emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability to maximize the impact of this generous donation.

In his remarks, Reverend Father Deusdedit Kanyambo, a judicial vicar for the Archdiocese of Lilongwe who represented the archbishop, has expressed gratitude for the donation by saying that it will significantly lessen the hospital’s challenges in providing quality healthcare.

“As we know, as a hospital, it’s meeting so many challenges, especially in the financial, the medical equipment. So, for them, by coming and giving us that donation, it’s really a great relief,” he said.

Fr. Kanyambo emphasized the importance of utilizing the donated items responsibly and in accordance with the donor’s intentions.

He has since assured the public that the archdiocese will oversee the proper use of the equipment to ensure maximum benefit for the community.

“Through the administration, we make sure that all the equipment, medical equipment, facilities which has been donated to Likuni Hospital, should be utilized according to the intention of the donor,” he concluded.

The funding of the project comes from donations from various partners including Project Cure (US), UPS Foundation (US), Smiling Surgeons (medical professionals), Rotary Clubs, and individual donors.