BISHOP MTUMBUKA VISITS ST. CYNTHIA HEALTH CENTER, IMPRESSED WITH SERVICES
By Noel Chatepa
On Saturday, September 13th, 2025, His Lordship Martin Anwel Mtumbuka, Bishop of the Diocese of Karonga visited St. Cynthia Health Center in Chisankhwa. The visit was part of the bishop’s pastoral visit to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Chitipa.
During his visit Bishop Mtumbuka had an interaction with the facility’s staff members and took a tour of the facility to appreciate the infrastructure and services the health center offers to the community. The health center was constructed and funded by Dr. Steven Peck through Cross Catholic Outreach and it is operated under the Health Desk of the Diocese of Karonga.
In an interview following his tour, the Bishop shared his impression of the Health Center. “I am impressed with the way the facility is being run and how it has grown,” he stated. He also commended Mrs. Teresa Kamanga, who has led the facility since 2020 and is soon to be transferred to lead the soon-to-be-opened St. Theresa Health Center in Zambwe, Chitipa.
“I would like to thank the management and staff of the facility for the way they have managed the health center,” Bishop Mtumbuka said. “And to particularly thank Dr. Steven Peck who funded the construction and running of this facility through Cross Catholic Outreach. The facility is being kept well and in good condition, it has an adequate supply of medicine and all the equipment for various medical use is in good condition. We are now gradually transitioning towards the facility being fully run by the diocese,” he added.
The Bishop also congratulated Sister Jane Kapembwa, who has now been appointed to lead the administration of the facility. The appointment of the Sister reflects on the Bishop’s emphasis of having the presence of Religious persons in Diocesan institutions to ensure Catholic values are upheld.
For the staff, the Bishop’s visit was a source of inspiration. In an interview, Mrs. Teresa Kamanga reflected on the significance of the visit. “This visit is special as we have been visited by the Bishop and it will help us to forge ahead in our work,” she said. “It has inspired the staff and motivated us to do more.”
St. Cynthia Health Center is situated approximately 18 kilometers to the east from the Chitipa District Hospital, and it plays a pivotal role in delivering essential healthcare services to the surrounding communities. The facility offers services that range from outpatient care and maternal health services to health education and disease prevention programs. Currently serving a population of 10,382 people, the facility attends to an estimate of 232 patients every month.
The Bishop’s visit not only affirmed the hard work of the staff at St. Cynthia but also strengthened the bond between the spiritual mission of the Diocese and its commitment to the holistic well-being of the people in the Diocese.
