Handover of maternity annex
By Sifuwe Mwangala
Mongu, Zambia March 27
Mongu, Zambia March 27
The Catholic Diocese of Mongu has constructed a maternity annex worth about 60, 000 USD at Nalwei Rural Health Centre in Mongu District that it has handed over to government.
Western Province Public Health Specialist Dr. Jacob Sakala received the maternity annex on behalf of government.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Nalwei today, Dr. Sakala thanked the Catholic Church for supplementing government efforts in reducing maternal mortality by bringing health services closer to the community.
Dr. Sakala said the facility that will serve a population of about 8, 000 people is in line with Government’s policy of ensuring that no one dies during and after giving birth.
He has since called on the people of Nalwei who are the main beneficiaries of the maternity annex to guard it jealously for its sustainability.
The maternity annex that is powered by a solar system, also has a water tank.
And handing over the facility after blessing it, Mongu Diocese Bishop Evans Chinyemba-Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI) said the idea of constructing the maternity annex was arrived at after the then Parish Priest Father Pat Cashin saw the need of having the facility in Nalwei.
Bishop Chinyemba said the Church is in support of government’s initiative to have a conducive environment where women safely give birth, hence donors and well-wishers thought of putting resources together for the annex to be constructed.
The Bishop has since thanked government for always being available to give guidance whenever it is needed, saying projects become successful when people work together.
A female local resident, Masozi Ndandula also thanked Government and the Catholic Church for coming to the aid of the women of Nalwei who used to travel long distances to access maternity services, adding that other mothers used to give birth at homes and under trees.
Also attending the ceremony were, Parish Priest for St Peter the Rock , Fr. Patrick Fumbelo, the Pastoral Coordinator , Fr. Peter Kashina, Fr. Wilfred Hodari and Religious sisters.
