The Sisters of the Holy Rosary, Mzuzu Diocese, have opened St. Marcel Health Centre in the Chigwere area of Nkhata-Bay District,Traditional Authority Nyalubanga.
The opening of the health centre marks the fulfilment of a long-awaited dream for the people of the area, who for many years had been longing for access to healthcare services closer to their homes.
The establishment of St. Marcel Health Centre is the result of a long journey of commitment, dedication and collaboration. After many years of waiting, the dream has finally become a reality, as the health centre has been completed, blessed and officially opened to serve the surrounding communities.
As part of the opening celebrations, a solemn blessing ceremony was held at the health centre and presided over by the Right Reverend Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese. The ceremony was well attended and celebrated with great joy and gratitude.
The Traditional Authority Nyalubanga, together with village headmen from the surrounding communities, were present to witness and celebrate this important development. Their presence demonstrated the community’s happiness, appreciation and sense of ownership of the health facility.
In his remarks, Traditional Authority Nyalubanga expressed his profound gratitude for the establishment of the health centre. He explained that, for many years, people in the area had been forced to travel long distances to Mzuzu to seek medical treatment. This situation had caused serious challenges, particularly for pregnant women, children and other critically ill patients.
He further explained that, in the past, some children had died on the way to Mzuzu before reaching the hospital because of the long distance. In some cases, expectant mothers had also given birth along the way before reaching the hospital. He therefore described the opening of St. Marcel Health Centre as a significant development that will bring essential healthcare services closer to the people.
Traditional Authority Nyalubanga added that, since independence, the area had gone for approximately 62 years without having a health centre of its own. He expressed his happiness that this long-standing challenge was finally being addressed and that the new health facility would help improve the health and wellbeing of people in the surrounding communities.
The Superior General of the Sisters of the Holy Rosary expressed her gratitude to Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda for taking the time to bless the new health facility. She emphasised that the blessing was important for both the staff who will work at the health centre and the people who will come to receive healthcare services.
She encouraged the Sisters and members of staff to work together in harmony, coordination and mutual respect in order to ensure the proper management and sustainability of St. Marcel Health Centre. She further urged everyone involved to serve the community with compassion, dedication and a tender heart, especially those who will come seeking care and support.
In his remarks, Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda thanked the Sisters of the Holy Rosary for choosing to establish the health centre in the area and for responding to the needs of a community that had waited for healthcare services for many years. He encouraged the traditional leaders and community members to work closely with the Sisters of the Holy Rosary in supporting and protecting the development so that the health centre can continue serving the people effectively.
The Sisters of the Holy Rosary, Mzuzu Diocese, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the establishment of St. Marcel Health Centre from the beginning of the project up to its completion. They acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the local community, donors, well-wishers and the Sisters themselves, whose commitment and support helped turn the long-awaited dream into a reality.
Although the health centre has now opened and started providing services, some important components of the project are still yet to be completed. These include staff houses, accommodation for the Sisters, additional beds and mattresses, as well as other essential equipment and infrastructure.
The Sisters of the Holy Rosary therefore continue to appeal to well-wishers, partners, donors, community members and other stakeholders to support the remaining needs of St. Marcel Health Centre. Continued support will help ensure that the facility is fully equipped and able to provide quality and accessible healthcare services to the people of Chigwere and the surrounding communities.
Prepared by Sr. Justina Ngulube (SHR)