ChildFund Zambia in partnership with Ms. Susan Walkingtone from New Zealand on Wednesday September 14, 2022 donated assorted medical equipment to Sinyawagora rural health post in Luangwa district Lusaka province.
Among the donated items include Baby buckets, Baby blankets, headlights and Special surgical round gloves.
Ms. Walkingtone, who is also a retired nurse, said she will continue supporting Luangwa district.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, ChildFund Zambia Director Programs and Sponsorship Doras Chirwa said the medical supplies will enable health personnel at the facility to offer effective maternal health care to the mothers and children that access health services at the facility
Ms. Chirwa said that the supplies will not just help to provide quality health care but also protect the lives of women and their children who used to cover long distances of up to 24 kilometers to access health services.
“These supplies and equipment will enable staff at this health facility to offer effective maternal health care to over 1000 mothers and children that access services here”, she said.
Meanwhile the Vice-President of the republic of Zambia Mrs. Mutale Nalumango said the government attaches great importance to the provision of health quality services hence prioritizing the recruitment of over 11 thousand health workers.
Mrs. Nalumango stated that the donated items will significantly add to improved provision quality of health care to the expectant mothers in the area thereby contributing to the reduction in maternal mortality rate.
“Government attaches great importance to provision of quality healthy services hence prioritizing the recruitment of over eleven (11,000) thousand health workers. Therefore, the donation we have received today will significantly contribute to improved provision of quality health care for our expectant mothers, thereby contributing to the reduction in the maternal mortality rate”, she said.
And Luangwa District Commissioner Luke Chikani thanked Ms. walkingtone for the kind gesture stating that it will go a long way.
Currently, Zambia has a maternal mortality rate of around 272/100,000 live births and a Neonatal mortality rate of 27/100,000.
