Madonna meets Mutharika

Pop star Madonna on Monday met President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe in her capacity as Goodwill Ambassador for Child Welfare in Malawi.

During the meeting Madonna briefed the Malawi leader about progress on the construction of a pediatric surgery and intensive care clinic she is funding at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre and other projects she intends to carry for Malawi.

Presidential Press Officer Mgeme Kalilani confirmed of the development in a statement made available to FaceofMalawi.

According to Kalilani, Madonna told the President that construction works for the project are almost complete and that she will now be moving to the second phase of the project which is procurement of equipment and furnishing of the clinic.

The pop diva further informed the president that the hospital shall offer free services with a small section for paying patients.

In the statement Kalilani said President Mutharika hailed Madonna for the progress made on the project and assured Madonna of his government’s committed to supporting her initiatives.

“The President believes the project shall have an enormous impact on government programmes aimed at saving lives of children in the country as well as on improving health delivery services in general.

“Once operational in early 2017, the clinic will be the first Intensive Care Unit for pediatric surgery in Malawi,” reads in part the statement.

Madonna was meeting President Mutharika for the second time having first met in November 2014 during which meeting; Madonna discussed her plans about the project.