July 2024

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

June was a sorrowful month in Malawi, the country mourns the demise of its vice president, the Late Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima. The vice president along with other 8 high-profile delegates including the former first lady Shanil Muluzi were killed in an aircraft crash in the Chikangawa forest while on their way to the burial ceremony of the Late Ralph Kasambala, the former Attorney General. According to reports, the late Vice President jet flew off the radar shortly after takeoff and crashed in the Chikangawa forest owing to bad weather. The Chikangawa Forest is in Malawi northern region and is about a 40-minute flight from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, the country capital.

We also mourn the demise of the Late Lucious Banda who was the Country’s presidential advisor on youth and art, he was a legendary musician who started his career in the early 1990s and released 20 albums to date. He was dubbed ‘soldier’ due to his music genre, which advocates for the betterment of the poor and fights for their rights. In these terrifying storms, we rest our hope, peace, and comfort in Christ, “Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (The picture below is the candlelight ceremony for the departed).

On the same sad note, as reported in our May newsletter the Lutheran Mobile Clinic supports children with disability to access physiotherapy treatments at Children of Blessings. Unfortunately, we have lost one child, by the name of Tamara, who died following continuous convulsions and was also found with low blood sugar. She was admitted to Kamuzu Central Hospital and passed away a few days later. The remaining four kids who are still under LMC transport fund to get physiotherapy are progressing well with their sessions.
We thank God!

As temperatures drop in Malawi and concerns rise relating to the impact of cold weather on communities, we have had our physicians educate our patients and guardians about pneumonia, cough, and colds throughout this cold season. The unprecedented surge in patient numbers, strains resources but demonstrates the critical need for healthcare services in most areas. The last week of June, I had the opportunity to chat with some patients mostly to know why they would rather spend more on transport to come to our clinic when they can use the same funds to access private or government hospitals close to where they reside. One patient said, “Despite the availability of medications at Lutheran Mobile Clinic, the staff treats the patient with respect and empathy, unlike the public or private hospital”. The other patient stated, “The physicians do not listen to all the concerns of patients but instead immediately send them to the pharmacy to get the medications or refer them to buy, whereas
at LMC physicians take their time with patient consultations”. Another patient stated that “when tested with malaria rapid diagnostic test, before the blood clots the Nurse/lab assistant at LMC provides cotton swabs to patients whilst at the public hospitals, sometimes they are advised to rub the blood in their hair and the blood will clot quickly which to patient comes off as rude nurses”. These are some of the reasons why people prefer our healthcare provision to other hospitals/clinics on top of almost the free service provision and availability of medications.

Despite the rough roads that hurt the backs of our staff members from consistently driving in bad conditions, the Lutheran Mobile Clinic has been tirelessly serving the communities, providing critical medical assistance to those in need. I would like to applaud my team for always showing up for the clinic to serve the communities in need.

Lastly, on behalf of the LMC staff team and the communities we serve, I would like to
express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation towards the purchase of our new ambulance. Your support and generosity have made a significant impact on our ability to provide critical emergency services to our community. The 2023 Toyota Landcruiser-Ambulance is admired by many as a new model but also its great state in off-road performance. Despite the bumpy roads this new ambulance has great shock absorbers that make the effect of the bumpy roads less noticeable. Thank you once again for your generosity and commitment to LMC’s cause. We are deeply appreciative of your support and donations; it makes our work possible and easy to manage. May God bless you all and give you good health. “1 Thessalonians 1:2, We give thanks always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” Amen.

Your sister in Christ,

Lusungu Mwambeye
Clinic Administrator