.CHILUFYA
By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
PHASE two of the Milenge district hospital in Luapula Province is expected to open its doors to members of the public before the end of this year.
The first ever hospital in the area is expected to cater for more than 57,000 people and has so far gobbled K9.2 million.
?Deputy Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, who is in the province to inspect some of the infrastructure development projects in the health sector, said that he was impressed at the progress made by the Chinese company, J and H Eminence.
Dr Chilufya said the project which has so far seen the completion of the administration block, patients ward, Out Patient Department (OPD) and four staff houses, will be handed over to Government on March 15, 2015.
He said shortly after inspecting the hospital that phase one and three of the hospital would commence simultaneously in the same month of March.
The first phase of the project was abandoned by a local contractor but a new contractor has since been engaged to complete the works.
Dr Chilufya further disclosed that the construction of the hospital would ease the delivery of health services to the people of Milenge.
He disclosed that the purchasing of equipment to use in the hospital has reached an advanced stage.
He said that Government would also hasten the upgrading and construction of roads in the district for easy mobility of the people.
Dr Chilufya reiterated the Government’s commitment to improve the delivery of health services.
He said that health personnel who will work at the hospital have already been deployed but at the moment are working in nearby health centers as they await the opening of the hospital.
Dr Chilufya also toured East Seven health Centre in Milenge and was happy with the hygiene at the clinic which he said had improved.
The last time he visited the clinic, Dr Chilufya lashed out at the members of staff due to the unhygienic manner the facility was being kept especially the maternity wing.
“Last time we came here, I had complained about the hygiene of this place but I am happy to note today that the place is very clean,” Dr Chilufya said.
