By CHILA NAMAIKO –

COLLIN Glassco, a Canadian charity foundation, has pledged to supplement Government’s efforts in constructing more health centres in rural areas where people cover long distances to access health services.
The foundation has since handed over a refurbished incinerator, bio-digester department, a newly constructed 1X2 maternity ward, beds, blankets, mattresses, a container from Canada stocked with assorted drugs and medical supplies at Pemba main clinic at a cost of K2 million.
Meanwhile, Chief Hamaundu of Pemba has conferred a Canadian donor, with the status of Pemba Village head woman for her organisation’s proactive role in uplifting the living standards of his subjects.
The organisation, through an implementation agency called Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) also fenced the clinic and renovated other departments.
Collin Glassco director Debbie Norman said during hand over of the facilities on Thursday that her organisation was committed to supporting Government’s efforts to improve the health sector.
“We are happy with the Zambian Government’s efforts in improving the health sector and through our partners in Canada, we are also supporting such efforts to ensure people receive quality health services,” she said.
Organisation chairperson Collin Glassco said the provision of quality health services required support from various stakeholders and pledged to ensure more health centres were built closer to people in remote areas.
Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu assured the donor community that Government would continue providing a conducive environment to work with communities.
Mr Mubukwanu said the provision of social services was  important in improving the lives of people hence Government embarking on construction of more hospitals and clinics countrywide.
He said the creation of Pemba as a new district was meant to bring services such as health provision, closer to the locals and he is confident that more job opportunities would be opened up.
He directed provincial medical officer Jelita Chinyonga to ensure that Pemba clinic is equipped with adequate health personnel to cater for the growing demand for health services.
Ms Norman, 55, an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) specialist, was also conferred as head woman on Thursday.
This was shortly after she handed over the K2 million donation of infrastructure and equipment for the Pemba clinic.
Chief Hamaundu, through his senior headman Hamaundu, presented Ms Norman with a certificate of recognition and a walking stick as a traditional leader, much to the delight of scores of residents who
turned up to witness the handover of the refurbished clinic.