Minister Kumpalume hails Mchinji businessman Simbi for constructing hospital

A Mchinji businessman Simbi Phiri on Wednesday handed over Tembwe Health Centre he renovated and constructed to the tune of K200 million to the Ministry of Health in Mchinji.

Receiving the facility on behalf of  government, Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume hailed the good gesture by the South African based businessman Phiri for funding the construction of the hospital.

“I am impressed with condition of this facility, it is a generous gift from Simbi Phiri I am grateful for the donation because it would have taken my ministry time to bring this facility to this state, he has spent a lot of money upgrading this facility and it is a big gift to the community here,” He said.

Kumpalume urged Malawians to emulate the good example set by Phiri to support communities who are in need, especially health services.

“Most of the time there are Malawians who have money, but they wouldn’t give a penny to anybody, we wait for people from Europe to give us aid, when we can give something to our neighbour, let us contribute to the society, we are not helping government but community,” He added.

Kumpalume then urged people of Tembwe to ensure the facility is properly taken care of and maintained.

He said his ministry is developing an infrastructure plan that would help district health and council officials to make a plan on what  needs to be done in health facilities to ensure the facilities are maintained and  availability of  resources in different parts of the country.

In his speech, Simbi Phiri who is also the Executive Chairman of  Khato Holdings, a civil engineering  company in South Africa, said he decided to construct the health centre because of its  pathetic state.

“As someone who comes from this area Tembwe in Traditional Authority Mlonyeni, I felt bad when I saw the facility, which was given to us by donors in a bad state, I thought I should contribute towards the community I come from and it has cost me Four Million Rands ,” He said.

The renovation of the facility includes the out patient, maternity wings, offices, a new guardian shelter, water tanks and staff houses among other things.