First Lady Esther Lungu has officially commissioned the relatives shelter at Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu in Western Province constructed by the Ministers spouses club at an estimated cost of over K1 million.
And the Ministers’ spouses club have donated assorted food stuffs and a stove to the newly commissioned relatives shelter, the general hospital and to Whisper infant care orphanage of Mongu.
Meanwhile Western Province Medical Officer Andrew Silumesi disclosed that government is currently constructing five District hospitals while construction of the 64 health posts is progressing well.
Speaking during commissioning, First Lady Esther Lungu said the idea to construct a relatives’ shelter was conceived by ministers’ spouses in 2012 in order to care for people who take care of their sick relative at the hospital.
Mrs. Lungu commended the Ministers spouses for considering the plight of people who care for the sick and urged hospital management to ensure the facility is only used for the intended purpose.
The first lady also called for concerted effort in alleviating poverty saying government alone cannot manage to sort out all challenges facing people.
Meanwhile Western Province Medical Officer Andrew Silumesi disclosed that government is currently constructing five District hospitals while construction of the 64 health posts is progressing well.
Dr. Silumesi disclosed that mounting of prefabricated material on the slabs have since commenced on 20 health posts.
He noted that construction of relatives’ shelters in hospitals will greatly aid caregiving by mothers and relatives.
And speaking earlier Mrs. Siamunene, the wife to Deputy Minister of Works and Supply Richwell Siamunene said the Ministers spouses club has since 2012 renovated mothers shelters in Kasama and Chipata and build a relatives shelter at Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu.
Mrs. Siamunene said the club intends to renovate and build mothers and relatives shelters in all the ten provinces to accommodate relatives giving care to the sick.
I dont doubt that the first lady the ministers’ spouses saw a real need and decided to do something practical about it, it sounds like a very unusual solution to the problem. The main problem I foresee is the sustainability of this shelter. Who will be responsible for its maintenance? The beds and mattresses we see in the pics who will ensure they are kept clean? The operations of this shelter can not be subsidized as any such funds are better used on the hospital. Therefore the shelter would need to raise its own funds by charging people to use it, and also to ensure that it is not abused by people staying there indefinitely. However because it was a donation I am sure many will be against this. For this reason private sector would have been best to find the solution. Guest houses?
@ blabla I feel for you, the attitude with beneficiaries of gestures that alleviate identified needs is that of aloofness to sense of ownership! All they think about is that since it has come free (donation) usage has to be free and anyhow, sustainability should be the headache of whoever wants to think about it. An example is in provision of public conveniences!
I reserve my venom for ka Lungu. that lazy useless bastard. I have no beef with mama Lungu, especially when she is doing charitable work. Whatever weight she carries in Zambia, I hope she can use it all for the benefit of the poorest and the downtrodden.
nothing breaks my heart more than seeing a sick child
Mmmh the ka Nurse next to the first lady…….!
why having military officers and why the design is more of a house not as a waiting shelter
Humanity, exactly my thinking on the design. Was that designed by an architect. The doors and windows are at different levels, hence creating a pathetic view. Only that it is a donation, otherwise, that is a cheap design. Sorry guys, but that’s my view.
The cost of building in Zambia is exaggerated. That lousy structure costing over K1 million Kwacha! Equivalent of two million South African Rand. Unbelievable! Imagine what a splendid and spacious building that amount can produce in other countries.
Why first lady commissioning? We have fully paid government officials to do that job. The issue of hero worship won’t take us anywhere.keeping up appearances ATI bazaziba bwanji will just land her in problems when her husband leaves office.
I think you have not noted the source of funding else you would agree that the first lady is more appropriate to commission the building than a government official