* It was much more than a physical activity, it represented compassion, unity and a shared commitment to improving healthcare in Malawi — Malawi High Commission’s Chargé d’Affaires, Justice Agness Patemba
* Given the scale of the undertaking, MUNA recognises that achieving this goal will require strong collaboration and support from partners in Malawi, the UK and internationally
By Duncan Mlanjira
The Malawian-UK Nurses Association (MUNA) charity Big Walk in Manchester, United Kingdom, to mobilise K950 million support for Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) short stay ward renovation — targeted to raise MK950 million (about £450,000) — was successfully completed on Saturday, August 8.
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In a statement, MUNA reports that the 7.2km charity Big Walk brought together its members, distinguished guests, supporters and friends of Malawi in a collective effort to raise funds and awareness for the renovation and modernisation of the KCH short stay ward.
MUNA reports that the event was graced by Malawi High Commission’s Chargé d’Affaires, Justice Agness Patemba accompanied by McDonald Sembereka, Counsellor for Development & Diaspora Affairs and McLloyd Chapatali, First Secretary for Administration & Finance.
Also attending was Charles Kachitsa and Dr Namarica, wife to Malawi’s Secretary for Health, who is currently visiting the UK in support of the MUNA members, volunteers, supporters and friends of Malawi — demonstrating their commitment to MUNA’s efforts to contribute towards improving healthcare in Malawi.
The 7.2km charity Big Walk started at Village Hotel Manchester Ashton and concluded at Etihad Stadium, with designated stops at Clayton Hall and Philips Park and a photo stop at Co-op Live Arena.
“Given the scale of the undertaking, MUNA recognises that achieving this goal will require strong collaboration and support from partners in Malawi, the United Kingdom and internationally,” says the statement.
“The initiative seeks to contribute towards creating a safer, more dignified and better-equipped environment for patients requiring urgent medical care, while also improving working conditions for the healthcare professionals caring for them.”
Chargé d’Affaires, Justice Agness Patemba
Justice Patemba is quoted as calling for unity and collective responsibility, while describing the Big Walk as much more than a physical activity, saying it represented compassion, unity and a shared commitment to improving healthcare in Malawi.
She commended MUNA for demonstrating how Malawian healthcare professionals living and working in the United Kingdom can continue contributing to Malawi’s development through their professional knowledge, networks and resources.
Justice Patemba highlighted KCH’s important role as one of Malawi’s major referral hospitals and emphasised that improving the short stay ward would make an important contribution to the care, dignity and wellbeing of patients who depend on its services.
A central message from her address was that a project of this magnitude cannot be achieved by one organisation or individual alone.
She, therefore, called upon Malawians back home and those in the diaspora including friends of Malawi worldwide to support the initiative through financial contributions, sponsorship, professional expertise, approved building materials and medical equipment, and by sharing the fundraising appeal through their networks.
She also acknowledged the collaboration and support of the Malawi Government through the Ministry of Health, Kamuzu Central Hospital and the Malawi High Commission in the UK, alongside organisations and individuals supporting the initiative.
Justice Patemba reminded participants that every contribution matters and that when people unite around a common purpose, even contributions that may appear small individually can collectively create significant and lasting change.
Her message captured the spirit of the day: “Together, every step can make a difference.”
On his part, Dr Charles Kachitsa praised MUNA for taking a practical and forward-looking step towards addressing healthcare needs in Malawi through the proposed renovation and modernisation of the short stay ward.
He commended MUNA for mobilising its members and wider community around an initiative that has the potential to make a meaningful difference to KCH patients, families and healthcare professionals.
He also praised MUNA’s commitment to its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its efforts to promote professional growth, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement among healthcare professionals.
He highlighted the importance of investing not only in healthcare infrastructure, but also in the knowledge, skills and continuing professional development of the healthcare workforce.
His remarks reinforced MUNA’s wider commitment to contributing to healthcare development through both practical healthcare projects and professional development initiatives.
MUNA vice-president, Patrick Vundule thanked the guest of honour, Justice Patembe and everyone who joined the charity Big Walk, saying they “came together with one shared purpose”.
He emphasised that behind the project are patients and families who depend on the hospital for urgent medical care, as well as healthcare professionals working tirelessly, often under challenging conditions, to provide the best possible care.
“MUNA’s ambition is to contribute towards creating a safer and more dignified environment for patients and better conditions for the healthcare professionals caring for them,” he said.
He further stressed that the charity Big Walk should not be viewed as the end of the fundraising campaign, but rather as an important milestone in a much bigger journey.
“Every step we take represents our shared commitment to giving back and making a difference,” he said, while encouraging MUNA members and supporters to take the message beyond the Big Walk by reaching out to families, friends, colleagues, businesses, professional networks and communities to help mobilise support for the project.
Following the successful Big Walk, MUNA is thus making a strong appeal to companies, charitable organisations, healthcare institutions, professional bodies, development partners, foundations, community organisations and individuals to come forward as sponsors and strategic partners in the renovation of the KCH short stay ward.
“With the project currently estimated at approximately MK950 million (£450,000), MUNA recognises that this is an ambitious undertaking that cannot be achieved by the Association alone.
“Its success will depend on collective responsibility, collaboration and sustained partnership,” says the statement.
Partners are encouraged to support the project through financial contributions, corporate sponsorship, donations of approved building materials or medical equipment, professional and technical expertise, fundraising initiatives, or other practical forms of assistance.
MUNA is particularly appealing to Malawians, the Malawian diaspora and friends of Malawi worldwide to embrace the project as an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to healthcare in Malawi.
To support, well-wishers are encouraged to contact MUNA through email; president@muna.org.uk; phone/WhatsApp: +44 7817 118050 and for more information to visit website: www.muna.org.uk
UK donations can be made through
Virgin Money Bank, account name: Malawian-UK Nurses Association
Account Number: 40076423
Sort Code: 82-12-08
Reference: Big Walk
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/4cb0ba532
“Every contribution matters. Individual donations, corporate sponsorship, professional expertise and material support can all form part of the collective effort required to turn this vision into reality.
“MUNA, therefore, welcomes organisations and individuals willing to become sponsors, donors and strategic partners, recognising that sustainable improvements in healthcare are best achieved when government, healthcare professionals, businesses, communities and development partners work together towards a common goal.
“The Association’s message following the Big Walk is clear: the walk may have ended, but the campaign continues.
“Although the walkers completed their physical journey at Etihad Stadium, MUNA’s journey towards transforming the KCH short stay ward continues, says MUNA while calling upon thise who were unable to participate in the walk to become part of this important initiative through donations, sponsorship, partnership, professional expertise, material support and by sharing the fundraising appeal widely.
“Every step counted on August 8. Every contribution will count in the journey ahead. Together, through partnership and collective action, we can help transform the KCH short stay ward and contribute towards safer, better and more dignified healthcare for the people of Malawi.”
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