By MIRIAM ZIMBA-
THE Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has adopted a life-time support to the children’s cancer ward at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
According to a media statement made available to Times Health by COMESA public relations unit, the adoption of ward AO6, and a subsequent donation of assorted items worth more than US$ 10,000, was done in commemoration of first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda’s 90th birthday.
Part of the funds will be used for renovations of the adopted ward AO6.
Speaking at the event, acting secretary general, Ambassador Nagla El Hussainy, who led a team of staff, said the foodstuffs donated is meant for patients ranging from two to 12 years old.
“Today, marks the beginning of a long journey together and I believe that we shall all support each other in this quest of trying to make the lives of the patients as comfortable as possible and the work of the medical experts easier,” Ambassador Hussainy said.
And COMESA director of Administration Victoria Mwewa revealed that staff at the Secretariat have formed the ‘Making a Difference Fund’ which will go towards helping the vulnerable in society.
“COMESA has a wider mandate but we believe that we must make a difference in the community in which we leave and operate from, so this gesture is the beginning of many more to come. Apart from reaching out in the health sector, we have also adopted a community school which will soon visit,” Mrs Mwewa added.
And UTH management has implored staff at COMESA secretariat not to relent in their support to the institution.
Managing director Dr Lackson Kasonka, who was visibly delighted to receive the donation, said running the UTH is an enormous task and all kinds of donations are welcome to help cater for the people of Zambia.
The support from COMESA included painting the entire A06 Children’s ward, painting murals on the walls, fixing Tiles in the ward and putting new curtains. Food items such as milk, sugar, cooking oil, and non-food items such as Dettol, washing powder and bedsheets among many others were donated.