The Chamulimba Health Centre that was constructed by Lions Aid Zambia (LIAZ) in Rufunsa district has been opened to the public, a situation that has elated the government and the Chamulimba community. Lusaka Province Minister Ms. Sheal Mulyata who was guest of honor during the opening of the health center on 8th December 2021 commended Lions Aid Zambia for coming to the aid of the Chamulimba community.
LIAZ embarked on the construction project of the health centre following a 10-year plea by the Chamulimba community for support to put up a health post as the nearest health facility (Chifundo Clinic) is located over 10 km away making it difficult for most people to access health services. Community members who attended one of the stakeholder meetings indicated that previously, the community grappled with numerous challenges such as unsafe deliveries where some expectant mothers reportedly gave birth on the way to the nearest health centre while a child who was sick died as the father cycled him to Chifundo health centre.
The government of the republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, has over the years resolved to provide quality health services as close to the family as possible. This is due to the realization that a healthy population is a productive one. The resolve to provide the quality health services has also been imbedded in the country’s National Health Strategic Plans (NHSP), thereby ensuring that the health service delivery plans are included in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
However, despite this resolve to provide health services closer to the family, this has not been fully actualized as some communities still have no easy access to health facilities since they have to walk long distances to access health services. It is against this background that LIAZ with support from Våres Jul Norway put up the Chamulimba Health Centre as a way of supplementing government efforts to bring health services closer to the people. The rural health facility caters for 2,500 people.