DPP’s move of cancer centre from Lilongwe to Blantyre irks Malawi opposition

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party  (DPP) has said it has decided to have the National Cancer Centre built in Blantyre rather than Lilongwe as earlier communicated  because the ‘principles’ of the loan, Opec Fund for International Development, felt the centre be constructed adjacent to a medical school.

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe  justified the decision on Wednesday in parliament as the  relocation did not go down well with the MPs.

Gondwe was forced to refer the Loan Authorisation Bill for $13.1 million (about K5.3 billion) to the Health Committee of Parliament.

Mkandawire: Why snatching cancer centre from Lilongwe to Blantyre
Mkandawire: Why snatching cancer centre from Lilongwe to Blantyre

Chairperson of the Health Committee, Juliana Lunguzi, read out Standing Order 125 (3) which requires a committee to scrutinise a bill first before tabling it in Parliament.

“Our standing orders are clear that before any bill is brought before the House it is first sent to a relevant committee. As chairperson of committee on health, I’m hearing of the technical changes for the first time,” said Lunguzi who is Dedza East MP from Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

Mzimba West MP Harry Mkandawire  (Peoples Party) also noted that the bill Gondwe brought to the House was not the original one as gazetted in July 2014 because the location was different.

Mangochi Monkey Bay MP Ralph Jooma  (People’s Party) said following the change in location for the cancer centre, there was need for the MPs to consult their constituents first.

Said Jooma: “The bill gazetted on 4th July [2014] is different from the one presented today. We cannot go into debate because the bill has capitally changed.”

Karonga Central MP Frank Mwenifumbo, brandishing a copy of the bill, said: “This bill is talking about Lilongwe [cancer centre location], but the one presented is talking about Blantyre.”

Tabling the bill, Gondwe told the House that government would save K480 million a year which is spent on cancer patients’ referrals outside the country.

.Gondwe told the House that once the centre is constructed it will adversely reduce the amount money government spends on cancer patients.

“I would like to inform this house that on average we spend US $30,000 per patient receiving radiotherapy treatment. On average Malawi sends over 40 cancer patients abroad for treatment which translate to K480 million per year. This amount does not include patients who pay for themselves or those supported by insurance companies. These figures also exclude airfares and accommodation costs,” said Gondwe.

The bill was referred to the health committee.

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chekambewa
9 years ago

peter njata tinthu tiwiri ititakumpoto tikunga phokoso tikungo oneka kandi tiakaidi nanga akakunjatani chete north

allanyakhuwa
allanyakhuwa
9 years ago

mo fire goliyati

Bonface Phiri
Bonface Phiri
9 years ago

Kenako azanena kuti ipite ku Ndata

Atate with Kamphongo wa kwa Masikini
Atate with Kamphongo wa kwa Masikini
9 years ago

Let the MPs debate and come up with good ideas.

Isaac Lyton AKA Drogba is back.
Isaac Lyton AKA Drogba is back.
9 years ago

Mutchuke ndinu alomwe.fedralisim woye!!!!! Odi uko achewa adutse,atumbuka adutse!!!!!

wokwiya
wokwiya
9 years ago

This one will be in Lilongwe period. You mean to say that all this time we have been talking about CC simumadziwa kuti iyenera kukhala close to COM.

bongololo
9 years ago

Amalawi musalire, chifukwa nkhondo atimenyera ndi Mulungu. Kumbukirani ataba University kukamanga ku Ndata, anafuna kuba stadium kukamanga ku bt. Koma Mulungu anakana anngochotsapo mkuluyo. JB ndi kuyibwezeretsa ku Lilongwe. Lero, che Pitala akufuna kuba chipatala cha Cancer chipite ku bt. Mulungu salora achita zotheka kuti chipatala chimangidwebe ku Lilongwe.

Nyondo
Nyondo
9 years ago
Reply to  bongololo

But you ( no. 57 Bongololo you) need to be doing something to stop this nosense. We need to rise up as Malawians.

Yobe boo
Yobe boo
9 years ago
Reply to  Nyondo

Fwasekiiiiiii!!! What ‘Malawians’ if favouritism is so rampant in this divided country. wait and You will see we will fight this.

Munthu ndamudziwa
Munthu ndamudziwa
9 years ago

I dont know why these pple are complaining about the location. We just need the cancer center in Malawi no-matter where, Northern, Central,Eastern or Southern region stop your political differences.

Mu Lhomwe wapa Phata
Mu Lhomwe wapa Phata
9 years ago

STUPID IDIOTIC UNGODLY CREATURE

CASH GATER 2
9 years ago

Thats DPP, they tried to snatch the New Stadium from Lilongwe to Blantyre. Now they want the cancer centre to moved to Blantyre for NO reason.

I prefer if the centre could still be in Lilongwe because patients from other parts of the country like North, Nkhotakota, Mchinji, Zomba and Blantyre could save in Transport costs and time than if the centre is in Blantyre. It could be costly for some one to drive all the way from Mzuzu, Nkhotakota Chitipa or any other parts rather than those from South.

Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao
9 years ago

Is this a loan or a grant. If it is a grant I see no reason of why we can not respect the grantors decision to change the cancer centre to south because its just a donation. If it is a loan, the the burden is on all Malawians and DPP holds no authority to relocate the centre. If that is the work of Mathanyula, then I am warning him to stop. WARNING TO MATHANYULA: If you think Malawi is your estate, then you and your lomwe who came from Mozambique will be repatriated before the end of this year.… Read more »

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