Catholic Bishop Peter Adrian Chifukwa of Dedza Diocese has suspended operations at Nsipe Catholic Health Centre in Ntcheu due to a prolonged land disputes with surrounding communities dating back to 2018.
Bishop Chifukwa said the facility cannot continue to deliver public health services in a situation of “anarchy and lawlessness.
“On 23rd October 2018 the Ntcheu Magistrate Court ordered some members of the surrounding community who had encroached on the part of the diocesan land to leave the land by 31st October, 2018 but to date the encroachers have continued to illegally cultivate on the land,” said Bishop Chifukwa in his letter dated 22 November addressed to the Christian Health Association of Malawi-CHAM, Executive Director and copied to Ntcheu District Health Officer.
The bishop said services will only resume when the dispute ends with the involvement of chiefs and members of the surrounding communities.
Ntcheu District Council spokesperson, Maston Kaiya said the health facility serves 26, 720 people from the areas of three T/As Kwataine, Champiti and Makwangwala.
Source:ZBS
