Embangweni mission faces calls to vacate Mhalaunda health centre after ownership admission

The long-running ownership dispute surrounding Mhalaunda Health Centre has taken a significant turn after Embangweni Mission reportedly acknowledged that the facility belongs to the people of Mhalaunda, a development likely to intensify calls for government intervention.

The revelation emerged during an ad-hoc meeting held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in the District Commissioner’s Chamber, where members of the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum Executive Committee met with representatives of the CCAP Livingstonia Synod and the Embangweni Mission Hospital administration.

The synod delegation was led by General Secretary Reverend William Tembo.During the meeting, Reverend Tembo openly admitted that the church did not construct Mhalaunda Health Centre.

Community members have interpreted the statement as a clear acknowledgement that the facility is not church property, but belongs to the local people who contributed to its establishment.

However, the mission reportedly expressed interest in continuing to run the facility, saying it could reduce other healthcare costs.

The matter of ownership has been a source of growing tension in recent months, with residents demanding transparency over the management and control of the health centre, which serves thousands of people in the area.

Speaking after the meeting, Chairperson of the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum, John Chirwa, said the latest admission had vindicated the community’s long-standing position.

John Chirwa, Chairperson of the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum

“Now that they have accepted that Mhalaunda Health Centre does not belong to them, they should vacate the premises and hand over the facility to the government for proper management,” said Chirwa.

He added that residents now expect authorities to move quickly in transferring the facility into public administration, saying this would improve accountability, staffing, and service delivery.

“We want the government to start thinking about deploying health workers to the facility so that people can access quality and affordable healthcare services,” he said.

Last month, the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum issued a 90-day ultimatum to Embangweni Mission, demanding that the mission vacate the premises and surrender control of the institution.

Currently, Embangweni Mission Hospital has been operating Mhalaunda Health Centre as a private facility under the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM), where patients are required to pay for medical services.

Residents have argued that this arrangement has placed a financial burden on many households and limited access to healthcare.

Community leaders say Mhalaunda Health Centre was constructed in 2002 with support from World Vision, while local residents contributed 25 percent of the project cost through labour, materials, and other community resources.

They argue that because the people directly contributed to the construction of the facility, ownership should rest with the community and management should be transferred to the government.

The latest development is expected to increase pressure on district and national authorities to intervene and provide a lasting solution to the dispute.

Mhalaunda Health Centre remains a vital medical institution for surrounding villages, and residents say resolving the ownership issue is essential for improving healthcare access, infrastructure development, and long-term service delivery in the area.

Members in the ad-hoc at the DC’s Chamber John Chirwa, Chairperson of the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum