The country’s social monitoring body, Center For Social Concern (CFSC) has applauded the Malawi government through ministry of health for bring hope to the people of Phalombe upon calling invitation bid for the construction of the much awaited hospital.
The development comes barely four years after government secured loan worthy US$ 11million from Arab Bank for Economic in Africa (BADEA) in association with Saudi Fund for Development for the construction of the hospital.
Since 2010, there has been no practical progress on the ground though additional funds were allocated in 2010-2012 national budget on same project which raised so many questions among the locals in the area, civil society, faith organization as to where such money were spent.
With such queries on the slow pace for the construction of the hospital which will help many communities, government on Monday, September 7, 2015 pressed an advert in the local media calling for bids on the project which has excited CFSC with other partners who have been on the ground tracking funds allocated.
Interested eligible bidders are requested to purchase the bidding documents at the ministry of health headquarters with a non-refundable fee of US$300.00 (MK50, 000.00) whose deadline is October 22, 2015, and applicable to local and foreign bidders.
“The government of the republic of Malawi has received credit from Arab Bank for Economic in Africa (BADEA) in Association with Saudi Fund for Development towards the improvement of health care delivery and intends to apply part of the funds to cover eligible payments under the contract for the construction of Phalombe District Hospital at Migowi in Phalombe, Malawi.
“The chairperson of the internal procurement committee, ministry of health, on half of the government of republic of Malawi invites sealed bids from eligible bidders from African and the Arab region who are currently registered, or, in case of foreign bidders is eligible for registration with the National Construction Industry Council of Malawi (NCICM) in the unlimited category. In addition, the successful bidder shall meet the minimum qualification criteria set out in the bidding documents.
“Bidding will be conducted in accordance with the international open tendering procedures contained in the Public Procurement Law and Regulations of Malawi and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries. A bidder shall be required to obtain a certificate of registration from the National Construction Industry Council demonstrating registered supplier status, as a condition of contract award”, reads the advert.
The Maravi Post on Wednesday, September 9 caught up with Mathias Kafunda, CFSC’s Economic Governance and Justice on the development, who expressed a sigh of relief saying the hospital construction was overdue as communities’ rights were being infringed.
“This is a great hope for the people of Phalombe including other surrounding districts whose access to health rights was being violated. Government must be commended for the timely intervention towards the suffering of the locals.
“CFSC with other partners working on debt tracking particularly to this project will continue playing the monitoring role that what has started now is on the right path until the locals are to get what belong to them”, assures Kafunda.
Center For Social Concern (CFSC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) for Blantyre Diocese, Kalondolondo, Parliamentary Committee on Health and Phalombe concerned citizens have been pressuring government to commit itself towards the construction of the hospital upon acquiring credit from Arab Bank for Economic in Africa (BADEA) in 2010.
