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Chitambo ‘s Katonga area ‘ cries ‘ for a clinic
Chitambo , June 10th, 2014, ZANIS —- Residents of Katonga area in Chitambo District have appealed to government for a clinic in the area .
They said this was because the nearest health center is over 20 kilo meters away especially for pregnant women to deliver safely.
And Chitambo District Acting Community Medical Officer Dr Kandole Nzinga has expressed happiness over the response that Male Circumcision (MC) has received in the area.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, the concerned residents said it is very embarrassing for the women and delivery of babies has lost the respect and dignity it deserves as it is usually seen by passerby’s.
One of them, Robby Mwaba , said transporting pregnant women and babies to Gibson health center is a hurdle and peasant farming is the only source of income for most people in the area.
“Most of us in this area are peasant farmers so we usually don’t have money for transport to take our women and children to Gibson health center, that place is very far,” he lamented.
He said many people in the area are suffering due to the many challenges being experienced in the area and it would be a relief to many if a health center was built closer to the people.
And a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) Eneli Mabula said since the beginning of the year, over 10 women have given birth on the road a situation which she termed as distressing.
Ms Mabula said other areas have hospitals and health centers but wondered if those areas are more superior to Katonga area.
“Other people have hospitals and health centers within their reach but are they more superior and important than us who live in Katonga?” she questioned.
Ms Mabula who is a trained TBA said she helps deliver babies for a number of women in the area but when there are complications that need medical attention traveling becomes difficult sometimes resulting in death.
Ms Mabula petitioned government to work on the matter with utmost urgency as the situation in Katonga is very distressing.
She emphasized that it is embarrassing and shameful for the women in the area and the situation should be rectified as soon as possible.
“Our women are feeling very embarrassed and ashamed because of delivering on the road. The situation really needs to be rectified. We are pleading to government to hear our plight,” she lamented.
Meanwhile, Chitambo District Acting Community Medical Officer Dr Kandole Nzinga has expressed happiness over the response that Male Circumcision (MC) has received in the area.
Dr Nzinga says the response to the MC Programme has been overwhelming as several men and children have so far participated as it happens during school holidays.
He said despite Chitambo being a new district it overcame the set target of 200 and managed to Circumcise 215 men among them over 36 children below the age of 14 and 4 men over the age of 50 years.
“Chitambo is a new district so it was given a target to circumcise 200 men but we managed to exceed the target by 15 which is very impressive,” he said.
Dr Nzinga urged more men to come for Male Circumcision as the exercise helps prevent Cervical Cancer in women, reduces the risk of contracting HIV and other STI’s such as syphilis and genital herpes and also enhances hygiene.
“When men go for male circumcision, they help prevent cervical cancer in their women. They will also reduce the risk of contracting HIV and it is also good for hygiene purposes,” he explained.
