By REBECCA MUSHOTA  –
GOVERNMENT has praised the Catholic Church for its contribution to the health and other social sectors aimed at improving people’s living standards.
Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Forrie Tembo said in Chamilala Ward in Chief Nyalugwe’s area in Nyimba in Eastern
Province that the Catholic Church deserved commendation because of its contribution to the health sector.
Mr Tembo said this when he commissioned St Josephs Health Centre, a  health facility built by the Sisters of Mercy of St Charles Borromeo of the Catholic Church.
“We are gathered here to witness the commissioning of a clinic built  with the kind assistance of the Sisters of Mercy of St Charles
Borromeo. This is a moment of great pride and joy to the people of this area who now have a health facility right at their door step,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by chiefs Nyalugwe, Ndake, chieftainesses Mwape and Mwanjabantu and residents.
Mr Tembo said he was happy that when fully operational, the clinic  would have a children’s wing and a casualty wing.
The clinic would also serve as a centre for trainee nurses doing nursing practicals as well as provide pre and post-natal services.
Mr Tembo commended the Sisters of Mercy of St Charles Borromeo for building a house for a priest to be based at the clinic who would
spearhead the establishment of a skills training centre that would train young people in various skills.
He said this was consistent with Government’s agenda to empower youths to enable them contribute to national development.
This is according to a statement released by the public relations unit at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
On other developments in Nyimba, Mr Tembo said out of six health posts Government has allocated to the district from the 650 health posts being constructed countrywide, one health post would be built at Mchimazi in Mombe Ward and that Nyalugwe Clinic was also due for  expansion.
Construction of phase one of Nyimba District Hospital has been completed and the project was going into phase two.
Mr Tembo said Chief Nyalugwe’s area was a beneficiary of two new schools Mombe and Mchimazi, a representation of Government’s
commitment to provide quality education for the children in the area.
Plans were also underway to upgrade infrastructure at Nyalugwe and  Kasansamula primary schools in order to widen enrollment of pupils at the two schools while tender formalities for sinking boreholes in the area, have also advanced.
Other developments include the water reticulation project, the housing  project, construction of a new Civic Centre in Nyimba and the
rehabilitation of township roads to bituminous standard which is expected to start next year.