By RUTH TEMBO
THE newly constructed Chifundo Clinic in Chaisa Township in Lusaka, which was built by Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has opened its doors to the public.
The clinic which has a capacity of reaching out to 10,000 people offers HIV testing, counseling, tuberculosis treatment, condom distribution and Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).
The new healthcare facility was opened by Mandevu Member of Parliament, Jean Kapata, Community Development, Mother and Child Health Minister, Emerine Kabanshi and Deputy Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya.
Speaking during the launch, Ms Kapata who is also Tourism and Arts Minister said the opening of Chifundo Clinic was a great relief to residents in the area who were walking long distances to access medical services.
Ms Kapata said the opening of the structure would give the people access to quality health services within their community.
She said the construction of the clinic illustrates the strength of the relationship between the Government and the cooperating partners who invested in developing and promoting growth of various services in Zambia.
“This health facility has a capacity to reach 10,000 people with services which include HIV testing, counselling, HIV, TB treatment and condom distribution among other services. These are services the community badly needs,” Ms Kapata said.
Ms Kapata acknowledged the immense contribution of AIDS Health Care Foundation in healthcare delivery and ART programmes in Zambia as evidenced by the funding of the construction of the clinic.
Speaking at the same function, Ms Kabanshi said opportunities were being created for the people of Zambia to access quality healthcare services which would reduce the mortality rate caused by HIV/AIDS drastically.
Dr Chilufya said the Ministry of Health is mandated to strengthen healthcare and public health in Zambia which would enable the country to meet Millennium Development Goal number six.
Aids Healthcare Foundation Zambia country programme manager, Victoria Kalota said the clinic was targeting to reach out to 10,000 people with facilities such as HIV treatment to add to the clinics supported by the organisation in treating and caring for nearly 20,000 HIV/AIDS patients.
AHF Global president, Michael Weinstein urged Zambians, particularly Chaisa residents, to utilise the health facility because it was at their door-step.