Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Edgar Lungu has commissioned and named the newly constructed hospital in Mpika district in Muchinga province after late President Michael Chilufya Sata.
Speaking when he commissioned phase 1 of the K10 million hospital in Mpika today, President Lungu said the opening of the Michael Chilufya Sata hospital is yet another milestone which highlights the resolve of the Patriotic Front government to ensure the provision of cost effective, quality healthcare as close to the people as possible, in a clean, caring and competent environment.
President Lungu said the provision of sustainable infrastructure is just but one facet through which this goal can be attained.
He stated that he would like the hospital to not just operate as a hospital, but to also operate as a base for studying problems of delivering health care in rural settings, noting that improvement of health services in rural areas was a great concern of late President Michael Sata.
President Lungu noted that the growing Zambian population, coupled with the advent of HIV/AIDS and sedentary lifestyles, has led to an increase in the disease burden, thereby exerting massive pressure on the existing health care systems.
He further noted that Muchinga province in particular has a large number of people living beyond the radius of 5km from the nearest health facility.
He added that government will this year embark on the construction of hospitals for Shiwang’andu and Mafinga districts and a General hospital in Chinsali in addition to the ongoing construction of hospitals in Muchinga province.
President Lungu said the expected during of the construction for the remaining works to complete the Michael Chilufya Sata hospital, which include inpatient wards,staff housesand external works, is approximately two years.
The Head of State reminded the workers who will be working at the hospital to be mindful that the hospital belongs to the community members who should receive maximum benefit from it, and treat patients with respect and empathy.
He also urged the local community to ensure that he infrastructure and equipment that will be used at the hospital is safeguarded and used prudently at all times.
The completed works of phase 1 of the hospital consists of an outpatient department, administration block including casualty ,radiology, laboratory and dental services.
The second phase which will cost K19.7 million and whose works have already commenced will comprise a theatre,maternity ward,mortuary, kitchen,laundry and four medium cost houses. The works are expected to be completed in February 2016.