Mbumba Banda Celebrates K672 Million Raised for Northern Mzimba Hospitals

Mother’s Fun Run raised K672 million this year, surpassing its K500 million target and directing the proceeds toward equipment for maternal care in hospitals in northern Mzimba. In an interview with Bright KUMWENDA, Nation Publications Limited executive and MFR leader Mbumba Banda said the result brought her great satisfaction and credited the contributions of companies, organisations, banks and individuals. Banda described serious shortages affecting local health facilities. Many hospitals lack essential maternity equipment, she said, leaving even skilled doctors and nurses without the tools needed to care for mothers and newborns. Power cuts and unreliable water supplies make their work harder, while facilities often have neither generators nor storage tanks. She cited Mzuzu Urban Community Hospital, which receives patients referred from smaller facilities but, according to her, has no water tank. Some clinics have no piped water or boreholes, Banda said, meaning expectant mothers may have to travel long distances to collect water from village wells. She also identified inadequate toilets and bathing facilities as significant concerns. The challenges extend beyond buildings and equipment. More than 652,000 people in northern Mzimba rely on over 22 health facilities, while only two ambulances are available, according to Banda. Around 10 other ambulances are out of service, and the district lacks enough funds to repair them. She also pointed to poor roads, which can become muddy in rain and remain difficult to travel on even in the dry season. Banda said the K672 million raised will go toward maternal-health equipment, but cautioned that the fundraising effort has not resolved every need. She urged organisations and members of the public to continue supporting the hospitals. NPL launched the run, she explained, as a way to raise money for equipment amid concern about deaths among mothers and babies.