By Brian Namakobo

QUALITY HEALTH CARE A TOP PRIORITY - MATAMBO

Ndola (11/05/2022) Copperbelt Provincial Minister Hon. Elisha Matambo says quality health care is one of the Zambian government's top priority for all citizens. 

Hon. Matambo disclosed  this during his unannounced visit to Ndola Teaching Hospital (NTH) on the copperbelt to check for himself the situation prevailing on the ground. 

The Minister said government is in a hurry to make sure that quality health care system is improved and continue to  improve across the country including Copperbelt Province. He accounted that  Ndola Teaching Hospital been one of the biggest hospital on the Copperbelt plays a huge role in the delivery of quality health care in the province and beyond. 

He highlighted that the hospital was set up with a purpose of carrying out far reaching medical services in various aspects and departments. 

Meanwhile Dr. Joseph Musowoya a senior Medical superintendent at Ndola Teaching Hospital said tireless efforts can make a difference. Dr. Musowoya believe that with the coming of New Dawn government at the helm of rulership, he sees the light at the end of the tunnel in the delivery of quality health care across the country Ndola inclusive. 

The Doctor however, informed the minister that ultimately the 920 -bed marvel of a Medical Institution serving as referral hospital run by the Zambian government was running not without challenges.

He said the pressing challenges included the need to upgrade the mortuary which was designed initially just to accommodate 30 bodies as the population has increased and the break out of corona virus has added salt to the injury in terms of deaths adding that the leaking roof also needed to be fixed like yesterday. 

Other challenges at the hospital according to Dr. Musowoya are lack of transport , replacement of old laundry machines as well as bad road network around the hospital. He appealed to the Copperbelt minister to lobby on behalf of the hospital to all companies operating within and outside Ndola to take corporate social responsibilities seriously.

Arising from ecological and environmental condition obtaining around the medical facility Dr. Musowoya made a plea to have the current Incinerator installed at the hospital upgraded to a modern one so that it helps bring the pollution around the area to zero. 

Hon. Matambo assured the management that the government will do all it can to provide quality health care.

The copperbelt minister was impressed that he found all workers in high spirit and that no one was moody as they carried their duties which was commendable and urged them to continue. 

He concluded by saying that there is room to do better especially quickening the process of clearing those who were found in a long queue .

Apparently Ndola Teaching Hospital is currently about 1,000 employees establishment and it is expected to receive about 60 health workers from the on-going health workers recruitment across the country.