A long-running dispute that left Mhalaunda Health Centre at the centre of community debate has finally come to an end.
The breakthrough follows the official departure of Embangweni Mission Hospital and the CCAP Livingstonia Synod from the health facility on Friday, bringing their long-standing management of the centre to an end.
The development follows months of escalating tensions between the Mhalaunda community, represented by the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum, and Embangweni Mission Hospital over the future management of the health centre.
The dispute prompted the Mhalaunda Citizens Forum to issue a 90-day ultimatum demanding that Embangweni Mission Hospital hand over the facility to the Government of Malawi. The ultimatum is due to expire on 13 July 2026.
Speaking to Malawi24, Mhalaunda Citizens Forum Chairperson John Chirwa confirmed that staff from Mhalaunda Health Centre, assisted by personnel from Embangweni Mission Hospital, were seen packing and removing medical equipment, office assets, and other property from the facility.
Community leaders have consistently argued that Mhalaunda Health Centre should be placed under the full management of the Ministry of Health to ensure that residents have access to free public healthcare services, as provided at other government health facilities across the country.
Meanwhile, both the Mzimba South District Health Office (DHO) and the M’Mbelwa District Council have repeatedly stated that they are not yet prepared to assume responsibility for managing the health centre. Instead, the two institutions have expressed a preference for Embangweni Mission Hospital to continue operating the facility.
During the hospital’s administration of the health centre, patients reportedly paid consultation fees ranging from K2,500 to K5,000, while malaria treatment was said to cost as much as K20,000.
Efforts to obtain comments from Embangweni Mission Hospital and officials from the M’Mbelwa District Council were unsuccessful, as both declined to comment on the matter. The council and the Mzimba South District Health Office have previously maintained their support for the continued operation of Mhalaunda Health Centre by Embangweni Mission Hospital as a privately managed facility.
Mhalaunda Health Centre was constructed through the efforts of the local community with support from World Vision.
The official vacation of the facility marks a significant turning point in the long-running dispute, with uncertainty remaining over who will assume responsibility for the management and delivery of healthcare services at the centre once the mission’s withdrawal is complete.
