The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church has assured Malawians of its commitment to collaborate with the government in improving access and provision of healthcare services.
SDA Church president in Malawi Pastor Tony Yolamu Nyirenda made the sentiments on Thursday during the Malawi Union Conference Health Convention, which was held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
The conference, still underway at the BICC, is being held under the theme: “Optimising Health in the Challenging Modern World”.
Nyirenda said SDA Church values the health of its members; hence, its emphasis on teaching its faithful hygiene based on the Bible.
“Our church, apart from running hospitals and health centres, also holds health conferences in a regular Manner. This health conference is the first of its kind at national level and has been prepared in such a way that all participants can teach their fellow church members in the cities as well as in the rural areas,” he said.
The Malawi Union Conference (MUC) president appreciated efforts the Malawi Government is undertaking to make good health services available to everyone.
He said SDA church has worked with the government in giving health services in the country and we pledge to continue our collaboration with government.
“Let me reiterate that the Seventh-Day Adventist Church teaches that God wants us to maintain good health through deliberate lifestyle choices. The Church teaches its faithful that responsible vaccinations lead to good health. We therefore as a church encourage our faithful to receive responsible vaccinations. Health is a great treasure; is the richest possession that can have honor or learning is dearly purchased, if it be at the loss of the vigor of the health. None of the attainments can secure happiness if health is wanting,” he said.
In her remarks, the Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda commended the church for the role it is taking in ensuring that every Malawian has access to healthcare services.
Chiponda disclosed that SDA Church has been one of the key players in healthcare service for decades.
“The epitome of missionary work in healthcare by the Adventist Church in Malawi is the renowned Malamulo Adventist Mission Hospital, in rural Thyolo at Makwasa, located some 45 kilometres southeast of Blantyre,” she said.
