St. Paul’s School of Nursing staff in Nchelenge District urged to work hard

St. Paul’s School of Nursing staff in Nchelenge District urged to work hard

Nchelenge, June 22 , 2012,  ZANIS  —   Government has urged Academic staff at Saint Paul’s School of Nursing in Nchelenge District to work hard and help bridge the low staffing levels in Health Facilities in the Country.

Nchelenge District Commissioner, Royd Chakaba says Government is determined to providing quality health services, especially in rural parts such as Nchelenge.

ZANIS Reports that Mr. Chakaba said this when he conducted a familarisation tour of the St Pauls Hospital and Nursing School yesterday.

He said apart from procurement of medical equipment and drug, there is need to ensure that all Health Institutions are well staffed.

Mr. Chakaba has also paid tribute to staff at St Paul’s Mission Hospital for their tireless efforts to provide quality Health Services to residents of Nchelenge.

The DC said he was aware that despite the Hospital being a first level health facility it acts as a referral facility for Kaputa, Chienge, and Mwansabombwe District.

Mr. Chakaba said plans are under way to ensure that a District Hospital is built in the area.

Speaking earlier, Acting Hospital Administrator, Tedson Saineti said Government is set to start reconstruction works on part of the Saint Paul’s School of Nursing which was gutted by fire about two years ago.

Mr. Saineti, who is the Nursing School Principal Tutor revealed that Government has set aside One point Four Million Kwacha Rebased to start phase one of the reconstruction process.

And St Pauls Hospital Accountant, Evans Masongo appealed to Government to consider stepping up the implementation process of upgrading the Health Facility into a General Hospital.

Mr. Masongo said once upgraded, some of the challenges facing the institution such as poor funding and low staffing level will greatly be improved.

He said the Hospital faces a challenge of late release of the Government Grant, adding that the April grant was only received a week ago.

The Hospital Accountant added that the erratic funding has resulted in a debt of 100,000 Kwacha Rebased and that the Hospital is only able to provide Lunch and Supper to patients.

He said the institution’s resources are further strained by  receiving referrals from neighbouring District despite receiving a Grant for a first level Hospital.