GOVERNMENT FOCUSED ON DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES

The government has prioritised the provision of health care services since coming into power as evidenced by the construction and upgrading of health centres, Kitwe Mayor Engineer Christopher Kang'ombe has stated.

The mayor made the observation today during the handover of a power generator worth K24 000, at Kawama clinic.

He noted that most health institutions have undergone significant transformation through the upgrading system.

The generator was procured with the ward development fund Kitwe City Council disburses monthly to all the 28 wards in the city. Each ward is entitled to K10 000 per month.

"In 2011 when the Patriotic Front party assumed power, most hospitals were neglected. However, the situation has since improved with many health centres being upgraded. The government is really focused on improving health care services. As such Kitwe City Council will continue to disburse ward funding to supplement the goodwill of the government," the civic leader stressed.

Kawama ward councillor Bonny Kaonga bemoaned the shortage of manpower at the clinic whose catchment area comprises over 50 000 inhabitants. Councillor Kaonga also requested for additional medical facilities noting that the clinic had adequate land for expansion.

Senior Planner in the office of the District Medical Office Sebastian Mtonga informed the audience that in line with the universal health coverage theme, the health authorities in Kitwe were under pressure to provide a wide range of health services especially in the night.

He lamented that out of the 40 clinics in Kitwe, only 14 provide services on 24 hours basis and that only two clinics, Kawama and one in Zamtan residential area had been equipped with generators by the Council through ward development funding.