Long distances to public health facilities and persistent shortages of essential medicines have emerged as the two major health challenges affecting residents of Lupanga Village under Traditional Authority Likoswe in Chiradzulu District, according to findings from a community diagnosis conducted by Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery students from the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA). The findings were presented to the community on Friday after the students completed a two-week community diagnosis aimed at assessing the village's health needs, challenges and available resources. Residents told the students that although St. Joseph Mission Hospital is located nearby, many households are unable to access its services because of financial constraints, forcing them to travel longer distances to seek free healthcare at public health facilities. Community members also highlighted recurring shortages of medicines at the public facilities as another major obstacle to accessing quality healthcare. "The community expressed concern over the long distance to the public health facility and the frequent shortages of essential medicines," reads part of the report presented during the feedback session. Head of the Department of Community Nursing and Mental Health at the Catholic University of Malawi, Mrs. Fanny Nhlane, said the findings demonstrate how geographical and financial barriers influence people's health-seeking behaviour. "A mission or private health facility may be within a radius of 500 metres, but if people cannot afford the fees, they are compelled to travel much farther to access free services at public health facilities," she said. Mrs. Nhlane encouraged Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) and district health authorities to strengthen mobile clinics and outreach services to bring healthcare closer to underserved communities and ensure that people seek medical attention before illnesses become severe. Receiving the findings, Group Village Head Lupanga welcomed the recommendations and pledged to engage the Chiradzulu District Health Office to increase outreach clinics and improve access to healthcare services for the community. The community diagnosis forms part of the practical training for Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery students at the Catholic University of Malawi. Through the exercise, students work alongside communities to identify health priorities, analyse underlying causes and recommend evidence-based interventions that can improve health outcomes. As Malawi continues striving towards universal health coverage, the concerns raised by Lupanga residents underscore the urgent need for stronger primary healthcare services, reliable medicine supplies and expanded community outreach programmes to ensure that no one is denied quality healthcare because of distance or poverty.