By Jotham Kayombo Likomeno,
Stakeholders in Mufulira District have called for the construction of a new hospital, strategically located to improve health service delivery in areas such as Murundu, Mukambo and surrounding communities, citing the district’s geographical challenges.
Speaking during the District Quarterly Multisectoral Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) meeting, Medical Superintendent at Ronald Ross General Hospital Chaza Sikambali said the facility is overwhelmed with patients as it remains the district’s main referral hospital.
Dr. Sikambali noted that the by-pass policy may further disadvantage some patients seeking care and raised concern over the lack of ambulances, describing the situation as worrying, with no emergency response vehicles currently available in the district.
He has since urged authorities to urgently address the situation to help save lives.
Meanwhile, District Health Director Abel Hamoonga said the district recorded 10 maternal and perinatal deaths last year, with no cases reported so far this year.
Dr. Hamoonga attributed previous cases to gaps in sensitisation, negative attitudes among some health workers, inadequate equipment and poor access to health facilities. He has since called for increased awareness on the dangers of home deliveries.
