•GOVERNMENT has embarked on an ambitious health programme.

ON the map, Itumbi area in Itezhi- Tezhi may appear to be one of the remotest areas in Central Province, but residents count themselves as greatly blessed.

For decades now, habitants of this area have lived without access to basic health care due to lack of a health facility in the village.

However, their hopes for access to basic primary healthcare are not in vain.

This is because following the Government’s launch of the construction of 60 health posts in Central Province which are among the 650 health posts being constructed countrywide, Itumbi area has been earmarked to benefit as well.

In February this year, Vice-President Guy Scott commissioned the automated state-of-the-art water treatment plant which is part of the US$5 million water and sewerage system investment.

This project is being undertaken by the Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation, as a joint venture between ZESCO and TATA Africa holdings.

The investment has improved water supply capacity from 1.3 million litres to about 2.4 million per day, a development which has reversed the chronic water shortages that the district was known for.

In addition, about K1.8 million has been invested in improving the electricity distribution system at Itezhi -Tezhi district hospital.

However for the residents of Itumbi village in Chief Kaingu’s chiefdom, the construction of health facility is one of the greatest achievements ever registered in an area predominantly renowned for farming and fishing.

According to Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya during the official launch of the construction site, these developments are poised to spur economic fortunes of the area that had been neglected by previous governments.

“Nearly 50 kilometres from where we stand, at Itezhi- Tezhi, a project of monumental scale will bring power to many homesteads and brighten the economic fortunes of this country,” he said.

“When for the first time, your dream of an all-weather road is fulfilled; your vast tourism and wild life potential will be unlocked. Jobs will be created and Itezhi-Tezhi will assume the rightful and honoured place among the districts,” he added.

Dr Chilufya insisted that the construction of the health posts, which would employ the use of modern fabricated materials, should be carried out by people in the communities.

This is in the wake of his emphasis that the PF Government is a people driven Government.

“We had to break ground away from here, thus confirming through deeds and not words, that this Government is for the people which does not seek public and popular piety, we mean business,” Dr Chilufya said.

The minster observed that Government’s choice to start the project from Itumbi village and not the urban part of the district, is a true demonstration of Government’s commitment to build the nation from the grassroots.

Dr Chilufya, who once served as a medical practitioner in Itezhi-Tezhi said the launch of the construction of the health post represents the vision of the Patriotic Front which is to build a healthy productive nation through among other interventions such as strengthened primary healthcare services.

The minister announced that eight health posts will be built in Itezhi-Tezhi in order to reduce the long distances that the people endure to access primary health services.

He added that a measure aimed at strengthening the hospital referral services, a brand new ambulance for the area had been procured.

“Because of what we are planting here today, that expectant mother in Itumbi will not have to move 55 kilometers to access reproductive health care services, hundreds of children will be protected from vaccine preventable illnesses, because the immunisation services will be brought close to their door steps,” he said.

Dr Chilufya observed that the launch of the construction of the health posts marks a defining moment moment in the Government’s resolve to ensure the provision of cost effective health care as close to the people of Itezhi Tezhi as possible through provision of sustainable infrastructure.

He disclosed that Central Province has only 204 health facilities against a population of 1.5 million people, a scenario he described as pointing to inadequate access to primary health care services among the people.

The main buildings of the Modern health facilities will comprise a delivery suite, a post natal ward, a screening and treatment room, two bed roomed staff houses, ventilated improved Pit Latrines (VIPs), incinerator, borehole and hand pump.

The health post package will also include provision of essential medical supplies fitted with solar power to ensure effective running of the facility.

Dr Chilufya said that the investment is also in line with Government’s desire to construct health posts to carter for every 500 household in rural areas and for every 1000 households in urban areas or five kilometres in sparsely populated areas.

Dr Chilufya urged the contractor Jaguar Construction Company, to ensure that works are not only completed on schedule, but that the quality of the works must be up to par.

Chief Kaingu expressed gratitude over the construction of a health post in his chiefdom.

The Chief said his area had never had the kind of development that Government was currently undertaking in the area.

The traditional ruler was elated that development that he did not anticipate to witness in his lifetime, had taken off, because the nearest health facility to his chiefdom is about 35 kilometres.

“May God bless President Sata; no previous government has ever fulfilled this desire of my people in this chiefdom. We are really sure that President Sata has love for people of this country especially those in rural areas. Please Dr Chilufya convey my sincere gratitude to him,” he said.

The chief pledged his commitment to monitor the construction of the health center to its logic completion.

UPND Itumbi ward Councillor Pilot Mwanza said he was elated that people in the area would no longer be subjected to walking long distances in order to access health services.

“People here especially expectant mothers and HIV/AIDS patients are walking for long hours to get medical assistance and adherence to medication has been a problem because it is laborious to walk long distances,” Mr Mwanza said.

Former MMD Deputy Secretary and Ambassador to Japan, Jeff Kaande, and proprietor of Lake Side Lodge said that he was happy that Itezhi Tezhi district has been assigned a large number of health posts.

“This development is pleasing. All well-meaning people of Itezhi-Tezhi should support President Michael Sata and his Government. People in most parts of the districts will not be trekking long distances to health facilities once these are completed,” he said.

The construction of the health post center in Itumbi, along with the construction of 650 health posts across the country, is a demonstration that Government is committed to the attaining of Millennium Development Goals on universal access to healthcare services.-ZANIS