Bishop of Zomba Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alfred Mateyu Chaima, has encouraged healthcare workers in healthcare facilities to continue working hard in taking care of the sick despite facing some challenges when discharging their duties.
Bishop Chaima was speaking at Zomba Central Hospital (ZCH) at the commemoration of this year's World Day of the Sick which started with the Eucharistic celebration.
The Bishop said that he is aware of the numerous challenges facing healthcare workers in many facilities in the country and that their continued hardworking is a testimony that they emulated the merciful and compassionate attitude of Jesus Christ towards the sick.
Bishop Chaima blessing some of the gifts before distribution to the sick
After presiding over the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Chaima, accompanied by authorities at the hospital, cheered children in Ward 9 where he gave some gifts to sick kids. The Local Ordinary also visited the Prison Ward at the hospital where he also donated assorted items bought jointly by Catholic members of staff from Zomba Central Hospital and Zomba Mental Hospital respectively. The Bishop also brought some gifts.
ZCH officials briefing Bishop Chaima on some of the development projects taking place at the facility
In his remarks, the Chaplain for Hospitals and Prisons in Zomba Diocese, Rev. Fr. Charles Namalitha, commended Catholic staff members at Zomba Central Hospital and Mental Hospital for displaying their catholicity at workplace. He also hailed the unity that exists between Catholic staff from these two sister hospitals.
Fr. Namalitha and sister Patricia Mawuya donating gifts to sick children
In his speech, the representative of Zomba Central Hospital Catholic community, Mr. Thomas Bitoni, thanked the Bishop for deciding to commemorate the day at the hospital adding that he had a leeway to choose other facilities.
Mr. Bitoni also reported to the Bishop that they started a project to build a Chapel at the hospital but the project stalled at paperwork phase in 2019 due to Codid-19 pandemic. He further said that their wish is to continue with the project until it sees the light of the day.
Responding to the issue, Bishop Chaima assured the gathering that he is aware of the project and that he will convene a meeting in due course to discuss the way forward.
Some of the Zomba Central and Mental hospital Catholic staff during Eucharistic celebration
The theme for this year's World Day of the Sick is "It is not good for man to be alone. Healing the sick by healing relationships".
World Day of the Sick was introduced by Pope John Paul ll on 13 May, 1992 and the Catholic Church worldwide commemorates this day on February 11 every year.