. Kasonde

GOVERNMENT with support from the European Union (EU) has allocated K3.5 million to Lewanika School of Nursing and Midwifery.
This is in recognition of the pivotal role that the health sector contributes to both the economy and the well-being of the nation.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Health Assistant Director Human Resource and Administration, Stanley Kacheba said the funds will go towards the construction of a lecture theatre and laboratory as well as rehabilitation of student’s hostels.
Dr Kasonde said part of the money would also be spent on procurement of furniture and books to ensure that quality health services are provided at all levels.
The Health Minister was speaking during the 24th enrolled nurses and 4th midwives combined graduation ceremony of 75 enrolled nurses and 18 midwives.
Dr Kasonde added that his Ministry was determined to improve infrastructure, the quality and quantities of nurses and midwives coming from training institutions in the quest to ensure positive impact of the practice across the entire continuum of care.
He said that government had procured and distributed ambulances to all the districts of the country to mitigate challenges of referral from the lower level to higher level of care.
Dr Kasonde said that Government was constructing 650 health posts throughout the country as an indication of how it attaches great importance to improved health service delivery to the community.
Meanwhile, Lewanika School of Nursing and Midwifery Principal Tutor Rosemary Mwanza commended government and the EU for the funds given to the school towards infrastructure development.
Ms Mwanza said that the gesture was an indication of the PF government’s commitment of providing quality health care to the people of Zambia with regard to training more health workers.
She noted that the school looks forward to the start of the registered nursing and midwifery programme in 2015 depending on approval from the General Nursing Council of Zambia.
General Nursing Council of Zambia Registrar, Universe Mulenga called on the graduates not to be over-sensitive to criticism but look at complaints as a reminder of their ethical obligation.-ZANIS