Madonna in Malawi visited the construction of a children's wing at a hospital that her charity is funding in this southern African country's largest city, Blantyre.
The pop star has been in Malawi for a week and is to meet President Peter Mutharika and health minister Peter Kumpalume. Madonna went to visit Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to view the pediatric unit where construction started in May 2015 and which is expected to open in early 2017.
"This new facility is the first pediatric surgery and intensive care unit in any Malawi hospital. It will have an enormous impact on saving the lives of children," said Madonna, in a statement to The Associated Press. "In addition to raising the quality and availability of health care, we are also preparing for the future by training more Malawian medical staff in specialized pediatric care."
Answering questions from the press, Madonna said that she does not yet have a name for the new children's wing.
"We don't have a name," she said, "but we have a building and we have dreams and they are going to be manifested very soon."
"Checking in with Mavuto, Sinode and Joyce from the film I Am Because We Are! Happy to see they are all healthy and happy 8 years later.??" -Madonna | "Love is All we Need!" -Madonna |
Oh Africa you h ave filled our hearts with joy and appreciation!? -Madonna | So many Beautiful Moments! Raising Malawi -Madonna |
"It's going to be my responsibility to make sure that this place has the equipment and is fully operational on a regular basis," she said. "So I have a big job ahead of me. Wish me luck."
Asked if she has any more projects for Malawi, she said: "I would like to do one thing really well than many things half-assed, as they say in America."
Madonna reviewing architecture plans for the new pediatric surgery and intestive care unit set to open in early 2017.
The children's unit will include Malawi's first pediatric intensive care unit, three operating rooms dedicated to children's surgery, a day clinic and a 50-bed ward. It will enable Queen Elizabeth hospital to double the number of surgeries for children and will provide critical pre-operative and post-operative care.
Join Mercy, David and myself at the new Pediatric Surgery Hospital in Blantyre adjacent to Queen Elizabeth hospital. First of all help us think of a name for the hospital and Secondly. Would you like to sponsor a nurse or a clinical officer?? If so check out our website Raising Malawi?" -Madonna
"Morning starts with prayer, laughter, music and dance at Home of Hope Orphanage. ??? Raising Malawi" -Madonna
Raising Malawi was founded in 2006 by Madonna to address the poverty and hardship endured by Malawi's orphans and vulnerable children. Raising Malawi partners with local organizations to provide Malawian children and their caregivers with critical resources including education and medical care. (AP)
Visit: