Mozambique | Niassa: Mecanhelas and Ngaúma to get district hospitals under BADEA-backed US$21m project

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Ivan Manhiça said that the project will contribute to expanding the healthcare network and bringing health services closer to communities. “This project represents not only an investment in the lives, dignity and well-being of Mozambican communities, but also the Government’s commitment to expanding and modernising the healthcare network,” he said. The Head of the Urban Development and Operations Unit at BADEA, Sameh Azzuz, revealed that Mecanhelas Hospital will have a capacity of 150 beds, while Ngaúma Hospital will have 100 beds.

“The financing includes US$20 million from BADEA and US$1.4 million in contributions from the Mozambican State,” Sameh said. Construction is expected to begin in February 2027 and be completed by December 2028. The Director of Provincial Health Services in Niassa, Narciso Rondinho, said in Maputo during the official launch ceremony that the construction of the two hospitals will reduce patient referrals to Lichinga Provincial Hospital and improve healthcare services in Niassa Province.

According to Rondinho, many surgical cases admitted at Cuamba District Hospital come from Mecanhelas, a situation that could be reduced once the new health facilities become operational. “This project is a major added value because it will reduce the distance that patients from Mecanhelas have to travel to other health facilities, improve diagnostic capacity and raise the quality of healthcare services in our province,” he said.