Site Description
The Dzaleka Health Centre is located within the camp and serves as the primary healthcare facility for a catchment population of approximately 86,000 people. This includes around 54,000 refugees and asylum-seekers residing in the camp, as well as 32,000 local people from the surrounding host community of Dowa District. The centre features consultation rooms, a pharmacy, maternal and child health services, and emergency care facilities.
The building itself is a well-maintained structure with clean white walls and a distinctive blue roof that makes it easily identifiable from a distance. The facility is surrounded by a small garden area where patients can wait comfortably, and there’s a covered waiting area that provides shelter from both sun and rain.
Statement of Significance
The Dzaleka Health Centre represents more than just a medical facility—it symbolizes hope, care, and the fundamental right to health for all residents, regardless of their refugee status. This centre has been instrumental in providing healthcare services to generations of refugees who have called Dzaleka home, while also serving the local host community.
The facility serves as a critical lifeline for the broader community, offering not only medical treatment but also health education, family planning services, and maternal care. It stands as a testament to the international community’s commitment to refugee welfare and the importance of accessible healthcare for vulnerable populations, as well as the integration of refugee and host community healthcare services.
History & Background
- 1994: Initial establishment as a basic clinic to serve the growing refugee population
- 2001: Major expansion and renovation to accommodate the increasing number of residents
- 2010: Addition of maternal and child health services
- 2015: Installation of modern medical equipment and laboratory facilities
- 2020: Enhanced services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination programs
Partnership & Support
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UNHCR. According to this agreement, the health centre receives assistance from UNHCR in terms of personnel, as well as medicine and medical supplies. This partnership ensures the provision of quality healthcare services to both refugee and host community populations.
Associated Events
The health centre has been the site of numerous community health campaigns, vaccination drives, and health education workshops. It regularly hosts training sessions for community health workers and serves as a venue for health-related community meetings that bring together both refugee and host community members.
Condition & Preservation
The facility is in excellent condition with regular maintenance and upgrades. Recent renovations have improved accessibility and added modern medical equipment. The building structure is sound and well-maintained, with proper sanitation and hygiene protocols in place.
