The Deputy Minister expressed the gratitude during the commissioning of the pots on Tuesday.

“It is barely a year since the Balaka District Hospital kitchen got burnt and today we are here to witness the commissioning of three electric pots donated by WHO and I am so excited for the various support that WHO gives us in the Ministry of Health,” said the Deputy Minister.

Kanyaso also acknowledged the WHO's human resource support as the organisation deployed a doctor who is also a trainer in COVID-19 treatment.

Balaka Council's Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. Eugene Katenga Kaunda said that the donation was timely as it will help the hospital address challenges in feeding patients.

“We had challenges in terms of kitchen services and through this donation, we will be able to prepare enough and fresh foods for all our patients,” he said while acknowledging recent receipt of IT equipment from WHO worthy K12 million.

Kaunda added that the IT equipment helps the hospital in information management.

WHO Country Director, Nonhlanhla Dlamini said WHO will continue supporting Malawi Government through the Ministry of Health in various ways.

“We saw that this was an emergency because a kitchen is very essential to every hospital as such  WHO will ensure that there is continuity of essential health services at all levels and we will  collaborate with other development agencies like European Union to continue helping Malawi Governmental wherever possible,” said Dlamini.

Fire destroyed the Balaka District Hospital on July 31, 2020 and the most affected areas were the kitchen and the stores with no loss of life.