— Govt. reaffirms commitment to improved staffing levels in the health sector

Govt. reaffirms commitment to improved staffing levels in the health sector

Chipata, September 19, 2014,  ZANIS —  Government has reaffirmed its commitment towards improving staffing levels in the health sector.

And Principal Tutor Chipata Nursing School, Mutinta Malama has praised government for the continued investment in the health sector.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga says this is because government recognizes the important role that the health sector plays in fostering national economic development through the provision of quality health care.

Dr. Mulenga stated that government attaches great emphasis on ensuring that quality health services are provided at all levels of curative and primary health care through its national strategic plan.

He explained that from 1992, the country has been implementing health sector reforms aimed at developing necessary capacities in the sector.

ZANIS reports that Dr. Mulenga said this in a speech read for him by Provincial Medical Officer Kennedy Malama in Chipata today.

This was during the combined graduation ceremony for 178 Nurses and Midwives from St Francis, Chipata and Mwami Schools of Nursing and Midwifery.

He added that Zambia is required to meet the global expectations in programmes such as maternal and child health which are part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Dr. Mulenga said these targets can be achieved when all health facilities are equipped with necessary tools and adequate manpower.

He said to this effect government has embarked on various infrastructure development in all health training institutions.

He disclosed that government is making significant strides in devising effective means of recruiting and retaining nurses and midwives in all health centers.

Dr. Mulenga however, expressed sadness that Eastern province has less than 50 percent of the required number of midwives.

He further advised the graduates to be professional and embrace the 3Cs that government is implementing.

Earlier, Principal Tutor Chipata Nursing School, Mutinta Malama has praised government for the continued investment in the health sector.

Mrs. Malama said Nurses and Midwives are important in any health facility as they form a backbone for the provision of quality health care delivery for the community.

She it is for this reason that government should train more nurses and midwives to address the staffing levels.