Mhalaunda Citizens’ Forum says no to more negotiations over health facility
The Mhalaunda Citizens Forum has formally written to Mzimba District Commissioner, Emmanuel Bulukutu, declaring that it will not entertain any further discussions regarding the ownership and management of Mhalaunda Health Centre.
In a letter seen by Malawi24 and signed by the forum’s chairperson, John Chirwa, the group maintains that the matter has already been settled. It argues that both the Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP and Embangweni Mission Hospital have acknowledged that they do not own the facility.
Based on this position, the forum is demanding that the two institutions immediately withdraw from operating the health centre.
The standoff follows reports that the Livingstonia Synod and Embangweni Mission Hospital are seeking the intervention of the District Commissioner’s office to persuade the Mhalaunda community to allow them to continue managing the facility as a private institution under the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM).
However, the forum has rejected this proposal, insisting that the people of Mhalaunda are the rightful owners of the health centre and deserve access to free health services, as they are taxpayers. The forum argues that, therefore, all operations at the facility should be free of charge.
Investigations by Malawi24 reveal that the Livingstonia Synod has since admitted that the health facility was constructed by the Mhalaunda community.
According to the Synod’s General Secretary, William Tembo, their involvement began only after the Mzimba South District Health Office allegedly failed to deploy health workers to the facility, prompting the church to step in and provide services.
Despite this admission, tensions remain high, with the community now pushing for a complete handover of the facility.
The forum further argues that continued management by the church especially under a private arrangement would undermine the community’s efforts to secure free health services and protect its ownership rights.
Meanwhile, the council has acknowledged receipt of the letter, along with a copy delivered to Embangweni Mission Hospital administration, giving the institution 90 days to wind up its operations.
