By CHUSA SICHONE –

MUFULIRA District is for the first time expected to have a modern hospital which Government will construct at the cost of K12.3 million.

This follows Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony by Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya in Mufulira signaling the start of the construction of phase one of the first ever Mufulira District Hospital by Mercury Contractors to be completed in 13 months.

Dr Chilufya said being a purpose built facility, the Hospital would enhance infection prevention, have more space for service delivery, allow for women to deliver in decent environments and enable children receive primary and basic clinical services in similar surroundings.

“This PF Government has delivered on the promises it made to the Zambian people and all what we are seeing today is part of the blueprint that our founding President (Michael Sata) embarked on.

“This is the pledge that we make to the people of Mufulira, we will continue with what he (Mr Sata) started under honourable Edgar Lugu.

The people of Mufulira will not be denied their fair share of the national health cake,” he said.

He ordered the contractor to ensure that it gave priority to employing local people during construction.

Mufulira District would benefit 11 from the total 650 health posts being built countrywide with four ambulances the area received recently also helping to strengthen its referral system and help to reduce maternal mortality.

Dr Chilufya said Government did not believe in rhetoric as it walked the talk, citing the various construction projects of hospitals currently underway countrywide as well as those that were completed and yet to start.

Mufulira Central MP and Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister John Kufuna was happy that residents would have the first decent hospital as the only other facility in the area Kamuchanga Hospital which was a tavern before it was turned into a health centre, lacked many facilities.

Mufulira District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe proposed to Dr Chilufya to rename the Mufulira District Hospital as Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital in honour of the late President for his vision.

The Mufulira District Hospital groundbreaking ceremony came barely a week after Dr Chilufya officiated at a similar ceremony in Mansa on Friday last week to kick-start the construction of the Mansa District Hospital expected to gobble the same amount.