Speaking this morning during the handover ceremony, LUANAR’s Acting Marketing and Communications Manager, Patricia Ngwale, said the University made the donation in recognition of the long-standing relationship it shares with the hospital. “I stand here today on behalf of LUANAR Management to present this donation of firewood to Mitundu Health Centre, as part of the University’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Over the years, Mitundu Community Hospital has supported LUANAR in many ways. Our students and staff have benefitted from the medical services you provide, and for that, we remain truly grateful,” she said. Ngwale further explained that the logs were sourced from trees recently cleared at Bunda Campus. “In recognition of our partnership, management decided to donate these logs with the hope of easing the burden of preparing food for patients at this hospital. Allow me to clarify that these trees were not cut from Bunda Forest, but rather removed by ESCOM as they were interfering with electricity lines within our campus. As a University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, we are deeply committed to environmental conservation and only permit tree cutting when absolutely necessary,” she emphasized.

In his remarks, Mitundu Hospital In-Charge, Dr. James Botha, expressed gratitude for the support, noting that the firewood will sustain the hospital for approximately six months. “This donation comes at a crucial time and will greatly ease the hospital’s operations,” he said. Dr. Botha also highlighted the strong collaboration between the two institutions. “Over the years, the hospital has benefited from the engagement of Environmental and Nutrition students from LUANAR, who have undertaken practical training at this facility. Additionally, Bunda Clinic is one of the 12 health centres under Mitundu Community Hospital,” he added.

This donation underscores LUANAR’s commitment to community service and partnership, reinforcing its role in improving livelihoods and strengthening collaboration with health institutions across Malawi....