By YVONNE CHATE –
GOVERNMENT has released K7 million towards the construction of psychiatric wings in all district hospitals on the Copperbelt Province.
Copperbelt provincial medical officer Consisty Mwale said this represented 80 per cent of funding towards the project that Government has embarked on to increase access to mental health services.
. Musenge
Dr Mwale said this on Monday when Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge toured the psychiatric wing under construction at Ndola Central Hospital (NCH).
“The construction of psychiatric units in all district hospitals will strengthen mental health services and improve medical care for the mentally challenged people,” he said.
Government is expanding the psychiatric wing at NCH to increase bed space in the male and female wards.
“Once completed in December, this year the project will provide 120 new bed spaces for both male and female patients.
“The facility will also be equipped with acute and sub-acute wards to address critical conditions,” he said.
Mr Musenge urged the contractor, Jearmy Enterprise Limited, to work within the timeframe and ensure the project was of high standard.
“The Patriotic Front (PF) Government wants projects that are of high standard and the contractor here must ensure that this is done within the stipulated time frame,” he said.
