Luntha-Clinic - Golomoti October 2024

We meet Frank Banda, the operator of this small clinic. Frank is a Malawian citizen, 47 years old, married, and has three children. He attended the Malawi College of Health Sciences and obtained an advanced diploma in clinical medicine with a focus on medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics/gynecology. Frank then worked for ten years in public/municipal hospitals and church-run hospitals.

In 2004, Banda decided to establish a small village clinic in Golomoti. It started with a small treatment room, which was gradually expanded through self-initiative and within the limits of available financial resources. As part of his professional development, Frank Banda obtained the legal authorization under Malawian law to operate this private clinic. From our perspective, the clinic is worthy of support: It is an already existing small clinic that has been built through the great dedication of its private operator; it grows slowly and continuously according to Banda’s financial and time resources. We believe that it makes sense to further strengthen and equip this clinic, as this would achieve several important effects:

• The Luntha Clinic offers a free treatment program for very poor and medically needy individuals, such as orphans and elderly people, and aims to extend its program to many other vulnerable groups who cannot afford good healthcare.

• Frank Banda’s private initiative benefits the residents of Golomoti and the surrounding villages. He also provides a source of income for himself and his employees. This, in turn, inspires young people to pursue careers in the medical field and train in healthcare professions.

• The clinic allows foreign medical students and trainees to complete internships. Foreign doctors can also work there, participate in aid programs, and already perform minor surgical procedures.

• The village clinic has a total of 10 employees who are dedicated to caring for patients and clients. The clinic thus serves a larger community in Golomoti and its surroundings.

The clinic has no running water; there is only a well outside the building, meaning that fresh and drinking water required for treatment must be manually fetched and carried into the treatment rooms. This situation negatively affects the necessary hygiene standards. We want to help ensure that a water supply system is installed to provide running water in the clinic. Additionally, sanitary facilities should be built. We are discussing the water system project with Roderick Maluza, who is set to construct it. A total amount of approximately 20,000 euros is needed.