By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, May 2, Mana: Rumphi District Council on Wednesday launched the rehabilitation of Rumphi District Hospital's operating theatre worth K252 million to improve service provision at the facility.

Director of Health and Social Services for Rumphi, Dr. Arnold Jumbe, said the works will increase operating space.

"Currently we have only one major operating theatre. This means we can only operate on one patient at a time. We are going to modify some rooms so that we create at least three operating theatres. Once completed, we will be able to handle more cases at one go. This will save us time," said Jumbe.

Rumphi District Commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu called on the contractor to complete the job within the agreed period of 90 days so that more patients in need of surgery can benefit from the facility.

Chairperson for Rumphi District Council, Happy Chirambo, also urged the contractor to produce quality work worth the money.

Rumphi District Hospital was opened in the 1970s and is the main referral hospital for the district with a population of at least 240,000 people.

The project has been funded by the Malawi Government's Health Facilities Rehabilitation Fund.