By Samuel Kalimira:
Christian Health Association of Malawi (Cham) colleges risk c losure due to the government’s failure to fund the institutions between July and December this year.
The debt has accumulated to over K300 million.
Chairperson of principals of Cham colleges, Esau Kasonda, confirmed pushing the government to release funds. He, however, said the efforts have yielded nothing.
Kasonda said the development has paralysed operations of institutions that train health workers.
“In fact many of the colleges are on the verge of closure because we have been affected following government’s failure to fund us since July. When we wanted to meet officials from the Ministry of Health, we were referred to engage Cham Directorate which wrote the ministry. Up to now, we have not received any feedback,” he said.
Minister of Health, Atupele Muluzi, said the ministry approved funds for the colleges but he also acknowledged logistical challenges.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Joshua Malango said the government is aware of the situation and that efforts are being made to solve the issue.
“The government is aware of the challenge that some Cham institutions are facing and we are addressing them through Cham Secretariat. Treasury in the Ministry of Finance is also aware of the problem. Let me assure them [Cham] that we are handling the issue with the urgency it deserves,” Malango said.
In June this year, Cham also threatened to close its colleges due to delay by the government to fund the institutions.
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