— Govt to turn all clinics in Lusaka into first level hospitals

– Government says it has zoned  health centres in Lusaka district ahead of making them into hospitals.

And WHO Country Director Dr. Jacob Mufunda pledged to assist the Zambian government strengthen her health systems.

Community Development, Mother and Child Health Minister Emerine Kabanshi  says the zoned clinics to be  converted to first level hospitals from mere clinics  have so far  been put in five zones in order to provide services closer to the people.

Mrs. Kabanshi says the first level hospitals once operationalised would be scaled up and see a reduction in the number of referrals to the University Teaching Hospital, ( UTH ) .

ZANIS reports that the Minister said this in Lusaka today during the commissioning of Chipata Clinic to a First level hospital.

She disclosed that her ministry, the sister Ministry of Health and the cooperating partners would commence the training of middle level health workers via electronic learning (e-learning).

She expressed happiness that Chipata district hospital would now provide all surgical and other related medical services as it is well equipped with medical officers, midwives and anaesthetists to manage complications such as pregnancies.

She commended the donors such as UNICEF, EU, WHO and JICA who have assisted the Zambian government in renovating dilapidated infrastructures, and refurbishing the theatre as well as purchasing the incinerator including an ambulance at the health institution.

And WHO Country Director Dr. Jacob Mufunda pledged to assist the Zambian government strengthen her health systems.

Dr. Mufunda in a speech ready for him by National Medical Officer Dr. Bvulani Malumo, commended the health authorities at the upgraded Chipata hospital for expanding its infrastructure to respond to the population in Chipata Compound.

Passing a vote of thanks, Rodgers Lesa appealed to the Chipata Compound residents to put the facility and guard the infrastructure into good use if they are to benefit again.

Mr. Lesa, a Community Social Worker and Psycho-social Counsellor, appealed to government to deploy more health personnel at Chipata district hospital to cater for the growing population and beyond.

Community Development, Mother and Child Health Permanent Secretary Professor Elwyn Chomba and her health counterpart and Dr. David Chikamata were among the high level officials who attended the event.

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