MEDICAL bodies and other institutions have welcomed President Banda and Government’s decision to upgrade five clinics in Lusaka to first level hospitals.
Health Professionals Council of Zambia registrar Mary Zulu said in an interview yesterday that the upgrading of clinics is a positive development because there has not been a first level hospital in Lusaka until now.
Dr Zulu said all serious medical cases were previously referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), which is a third level hospital.
The five clinics that have been upgraded to level one hospitals at a cost of K65 billion are in Chawama, Kanyama, Chilenje, Matero, and Chipata townships.
“This move will decongest UTH and allow patients to be treated in a conducive environment. It is also in line with the health sector vision of providing health care close to the communities,” she said.
Zambia Medical Association president Maureen Chisembele said in a separate interview that government must be congratulated for upgrading the clinics.
She said the people of Zambia have been given hope of better health care facilities in their localities.
She said government must now ensure that it provides the necessary staff to manage these hospitals.
She said government must now ensure that it provides the necessary staff to manage these hospitals.
Health Workers Union of Zambia (HWUZ) general secretary Lewis Mukosha has commended President Banda for his personal effort in the development of the health sector in the country.
Mr Mukosha said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that President Banda should be commended for his personal efforts in the development of the health sector.
He said under President Banda several health facilities have been built countrywide and that people are able to access medical attention at their doorsteps.
Mr Mukosha said his union is happy that government has continued working towards developing the health sector by taking facilities closer to the people.
“We are very happy that the government under the leadership of President Banda has made tremendous strides in development. Clinics and other health facilities have been built in all the rural areas of the country.
Our people are accessing medical facilities without problems. Our main worry is that we are facing a shortage of staff in the health sector. We need government to train more personnel,” he said.
Mr Mukosha said President Banda has demonstrated his commitment to addressing problems facing Zambians in various sectors.
The Human Rights Commission says it is pleased with President Banda’s commitment to improving health care delivery and the right to health of many Zambians.
Commission chairperson Pixie Yangailo said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the right to health and health care services are cardinal to social services for the people.
Ms Yangailo’s comment comes following President Banda’s announcement that Government is constructing 26 district hospitals including the Lusaka General Hospital.
“His Excellency President Rupiah Banda and his Government should be commended for the positive developments and the commission encourages Government not to relent in improving the much needed social services for the people,” she said.
Ms Yangailo said the developments indicate that Government is fulfilling its obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
Zambia acceded to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in 1984.
Ms Yangailo said the fulfillment of the right to
health is one of Government’s most solemn obligations.
She said the commission is gratified to see that such an important right is increasingly becoming a reality for the people of Zambia.
health is one of Government’s most solemn obligations.
She said the commission is gratified to see that such an important right is increasingly becoming a reality for the people of Zambia.
Ms Yangailo said the commission is pleased with the reported construction of 26 hospitals countrywide, including the upgrading of some clinics in Lusaka to fully fledged hospitals.
She said the commission notes that there are still many challenges ahead with the current commitment exhibited by Government.
Civil Servants Union of Zambia general secretary Darrison Chaala said government must ensure that all the five hospitals are equipped with modern equipment relevant to a first level health institution.
He said there are a number of specialised health workers who are not utilising their skills when they report for work because some health institutions do not have equipment.
“Government should be commended for coning up with this idea. Government must also endure that the pharmacies in these clinics are fully stocked at any given time,” he said.
Mr Chaala said health workers should be given good incentives to work with zeal and in turn continue to save lives of Zambians.
On Wednesday, President Banda said government has spent K65 billion on converting the five clinics in Lusaka to first level hospitals because it is fulfilling promises of providing better health care for all.
Mr Banda said this when he commissioned the new theatre at Chawama first level hospital.
He said because of Government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare close to families, it embarked on the ambitious task of converting the clinics into hospitals.
The first level hospitals will now handle almost all operations including caesarean sections, cleaning of injuries, and draining of abscesses, which were previously conducted at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
He said eight of the hospitals under construction, including the one in Lusaka, will be completed this year.
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