Mhalaunda Community rejects council report, demands public control of health facility

The Mhalaunda Citizens Forum has dismissed claims by M’mbelwa District Council that residents have softened their stance on the management of Mhalaunda Health Centre following recent discussions with district authorities.

In a statement issued on Thursday, seeing by Malawi24 the Forum accused the council of misrepresenting the outcome of a meeting between council officials and community representatives, insisting that residents remain committed to their demand for the Government of Malawi to take over the facility.

The Mhalaunda Citizens Forum has a issued statement in response to a publication by the M’mbelwa District Council Media Team titled “Mhalaunda Residents Suspend Health Centre Closure Threat After Council Intervention.”

According to the Forum, the article contained inaccuracies and failed to reflect the position of the community.

The Forum stressed that no agreement was reached to suspend its campaign or withdraw the 90-day ultimatum previously issued by residents.“The position of the people of Mhalaunda remains unchanged.

The health centre was established through the collective efforts of the local community, with support from World Vision, and should be handed over to the Government of Malawi to provide free public healthcare services,” reads part of the statement.

Mhalaunda Health Centre is currently managed by Embangweni Mission Hospital under the CCAP Livingstonia Synod. Community members argue that the arrangement has resulted in healthcare charges that many residents cannot afford.

According to the Forum, council officials led by principal administrative officer Viston Mulungu urged community representatives to currently allow Embangweni Mission Hospital and the Synod to continue managing the facility until proper handover. However, residents reportedly rejected the proposal.

“The Forum rejects any suggestion that the meeting resulted in support for continued management of the facility by mission authorities,” the statement states.

The chairperson of the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum, John Chirwa, has also distanced himself from the council’s publication. The article quoted him as saying residents had withdrawn their threat to close the facility and suspended their demands following discussions with authorities.

However, Chirwa described the quotation as inaccurate ,misleading and besless arguing that he was never interviewed for the article.

Chirwa maintained that the position remains aligned with that of residents, who continue to advocate for government control of the health centre.

It further argued that the dispute goes beyond management issues and centres on the financial burden faced by residents who constructed to the facility yet are still required to pay for healthcare services, and Embangweni Mission and the Livingstonia Synod are benefiting on their facility.

Community members contend that their contributions toward the construction and development of the health centre were made with the expectation that it would operate as a public facility offering free healthcare services under government management. And not being syphoned by Embangweni Mission and the Livingstonia Synod.