HEALTH Minister Dr Joseph Kasonde yesterday officially pronounced Chipata General as a Central Hospital with the assurance that a number of district hospital in the country will be upgraded into general hospitals.
Dr Kasonde said when he commissioned Katambo health post in Chipata yesterday that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was committed to bringing development agenda to every part of the country.
He said the Government had plans to turn the second level hospitals into first level.
Dr Kasonde said the some second levels hospitals were incorporating training schools like was the case with the Chipata Central hospital.
“In line with the pronouncement of H.E the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu I declare Chipata General Hospital is now Central hospital with effect from 6th January 2016,”The minister said.
He said his Government has also procured basic life support and advanced support ambulances for all hospitals in the country in order to provide transport for referring the patients from the health centres to first and second level facilities.
Dr Kasonde said Eastern province has so far received 15 basic life support ambulances and four advanced support ambulances.
He assured the community of Katambo of having access to transport when things arises.
He said the Government also procured medical equipment countrywide ranging from laundry machines, CT scanners, CD4 count machines and basic emergency obstetric care.
Dr Kasonde said the 650 health posts under construction in the country have a complete set of equipment required.
The minister said the Government crusade for the health sector was to improve all the health facilities.
He cautioned health staffs against become bad persons more especially to pregnant women who needed care.
Speaking earlier Eastern Province Medical Officer Dr Abel Kabalo said the performance of the health sector in the province has tremendously improved.
He said this has emanated from the good policies of the Government which has put emphasis on the health sector.
Dr Kabalo said the province has continued receiving support from United States government through the Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) in the area of HIV/AIDS related programme amounting to US$ 2.4 million.
He said the province has also been receiving funding from Swedish government through SIDA.
Just declare things, Chipata Central hospital….. Chipata Metropolitan council
Wow! a central hospital with no proper equipment and medicine, I miss Kaunda days……
Don’t worry, next week it will become Chipata University Hospital!!!!!!!
What’s the difference????????
shameful, changing the name changes nothing. This is where the president, ministers and their families should start going for care