MALAWI: Malawian Prelate Advises the Sick Not to Lose Faith in God
Fr. Steve Likhucha
As the Catholic Church marked the World Day of the Sick, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba, Rt. Rev. Alfred Mateyu Chaima advised people in Malawi who are ill not to lose faith in God but to continue trusting in his unconditional love and mercy, which come through his healing hand. The Bishop said this at St. Robert Clinic, Sitima Parish in Zomba Diocese.
“Despite the unhealthy situations in which you are, do not cease to put your total trust in the almighty power of God who is the source of love and mercy and heals us from our various infirmities including all physical feebleness,” The Bishop said on Wednesday, February 11, and added, “Today being World Day for the Sick, where we also remember Our Lady of Lourdes, we remember and pray for you all and encourage you to continue living in faith.”
The Bishop assured the communities in Sitima Parish that his presence at St. Robert Clinic was a testament to the Catholic Church’s commitment to promoting good health for all by ensuring access to healthcare services for the people of Sitima Parish. He stressed that it is his desire that the Clinic have enough facilities so that all relevant bodies should approve it as soon as possible, thereby paving the way for some services, such as maternity, to drastically reduce the rate of maternal and child death.
The Prelate informed the faithful that once officially approved, the clinic will attain a new status and have its own dedicated workforce. Currently, healthcare staff from nearby health facilities provide services to the clinic on a temporary basis.
The Bishop cheered the sick and gifted them maize flour, soap, sugar, and salt.
The Parish Priest of Sitima, Fr. Owen O’Donnell, thanked the Bishop for fulfilling his mandate as Good Shepherd and asked him to continue responding positively to the many needs of the Diocese, including those about support in the healthcare sector.
On her part, the Clinic Administrator, Sr. Hellen Chagunda, informed the gathered community about the significance of the World Day for the Sick in relation to the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, that God heals his people.
The Clinic In-Charge, Mr. Andrew Kamwendo, informed the Bishop about some of the challenges the Clinic is facing, including failure to offer Antiretroviral Therapy, an open maternity wing, and offer free medication, being in the remotest area where most of the people fail to get funds for medical service payment
With support from Montfort Congregation, St. Robert Clinic opened its doors as an Outpatient Department in February 2022. It has been approved by the Ministry of Health through the District Health Office and the Nurses Council but is awaiting special approval from the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) so that other facilities can be operational.
