By RACKSON SHAMUTUKU –
Health centres in Chililabombwe recorded seven babies born on Christmas Day, with Kakoso Clinic topping the list with four babies – one female and three males.
At Lubengele Clinic two babies, both males, were born, while Chimfunshi Health Centre welcomed a baby boy.

•CHILILABOMBWE Mayor Paul Kabuswe talks to Mercy Silundu, the mother of a newly-born baby at Kabengele Clinic in Chililabombwe on Chrismas Day. Picture by RACKSON SHAMUTUKU

Chililabombwe Mayor Paul Kabuswe, who visited the two health institutions, gave out presents to the newborns.
The mayor donated hampers to all the seven babies and interacted with their mothers who were grateful for the gesture.
During the visit, managements at the health centres told the mayor that they were facing challenges such as lack of  shelter and power shortages.
Chililabombwe District only has one medical doctor who also covers Kasumbalesa, on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr Kabuswe said because of the population increase in the district, there was need to expand the health centres to enhance service provision to the people.
He said civic leaders would soon meet with Zesco management in the area to discuss the load shedding issue so that the health centres, especially the maternity wings, could be exempted from power cuts.
The mayor also appealed to the ministry of Health to consider taking more doctors to the district following the population explosion.
Lubengele Clinic sister-in-charge, Peggy Kampamba said the shelter at the health centre was small, and that there was need to provide the centre with furniture as patients sit under the tree while waiting to be attended to.
Ms Kampamba said the population in Kabengela and the surrounding areas had risen to 49,000 while the staffing level for medical personnel had remained static.
Kakoso Clinic sister-in-charge, Judith Mushili thanked Kapingile School management for donating a generator.