THE Government will ensure that all health facilities in the country have basic equipment such as the CT scans, President Hakainde Hichilema has said.
President Hichilema said funds were available and Government would endeavour to have health centres well equipped.
He was speaking in Chibombo’s Chiyuni area during the commissioning of the Chitanda Lumamba Mini hospital that was built by Fountain of Life Africa.
“Government will use the money properly and equip the health facility like this one because the money is there,” he said.
President Hichilema assured the nation that despite the challenges that the Government faced, it was committed to reduce the doctor, nurses and patient ratio.
“Whatever the challenges we shall employ more doctors, nurses so that we can have a lesser doctor to patient ratio,” he said.
He commended the Fountain of Life for the construction of the mini- hospital that had added to the number of health institutions in the country.
Mr Hichilema said the Government considered health as central to the well being of the people and would like to take health service closer to the people.
He thanked Central Province Minister Princess Kasune, who through her organisation Fountain of Life, built the Mini Hospital in the area.
He urged the members of Parliament, district commissioners and civic leaders to emulate Princess Kasune.
“The district commissioners should not just be driving the GRZ vehicles but do something for the people, even me as President can do something from my own efforts,” he said.
The President committed some of his money from the Cattle in Chibombo to build a mortuary and purchase a generator for the hospital.
He thanked the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) for accepting to run the health facility.
Mr Hichilema also commended Chief Chitanda Lumamba for the provision of land to build the health facility.
Health Minister Sylvia Masebo thanked President Hichilema for the importance he has attached health in the country which had seen an improvement in supply of medical drugs in health facilities.
Princess Kasune, who was the founder Fountain of Life Africa organisation, said she decided to embark on a project about five years ago.
She said the Chitanda Lumamba Mini hospital had now become the big facility in the area..
And Mr Hichilema has advised Chiefs against taking traditional wrangles to courts but to solve them amongst themselves.
President Hichilema told the traditional leaders when he met chiefs from Southern and Central Provinces in Chibombo yesterday.
Among the chiefs he met include Chiefs Hamusonde of Monze, Senior Chief Mukuni of Kazungula.
Those from Central Province include Chieftainess Mungule, Chief Chitanda Lumamba, Chief Liteta, Chief Chibale, Chief Chamuka, Chief Chikupili, Chief Mukubwe, and Chief Chamuka.
He said it was not good for chiefs to take each other to court when they had the capacity to resolve differences within the traditional circles.
“It’s not good to expose traditional matters in courts,” he said.
