Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:24:28 +0000
By Mukosela Kasalwe
THE installation of an ultra-modern oxygen plant at Lewanika General Hospital valued at K1.1 million will benefit all hospitals in Western Province and reduce time and costs, says Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya.
Dr Chilufya said President Edgar Lungu was pushing a transformation agenda in the health sector by advocating for the prevention of diseases and to see to it that all people received the best health care treatment.
He said Government was aggressive in the modernisation of Lewanika General Hospital and that this was evident such as the hospital boasting of a state-of the-art eye hospital which was the best in the country.
The minister said this in Mongu, at the weekend when he commissioned an oxygen plant at Lewanika General Hospital (LGH) worth K1.1m which included equipment as well as infrastructure.
Dr Chilufya said the move would save time and money as there would be no need to travel to Lusaka to buy oxygen but that LGH would supply oxygen to patients through pipes unlike cylinders and service other health posts in the province at a minimal cost to help with its maintenance.
“As part of the modernisation of Lewanika General Hospital, an ultra-modern oxygen plant has been installed at a total cost of K1.1 million equipment and infrastructure combined. This means you will no longer have to travel to Lusaka to buy oxygen but actually supply oxygen to other health facilities in the province at a minimal cost to help with maintenance,” he said.
Dr Chilufya said LGH would receive a tremendous facelift and that a purpose built medical store would be constructed in Mongu next year.
He thanked the Barotse Royal Establishment for pledging to continue supporting the government in its work.
Medical superintendent Samutuwa Njekwa expressed happiness that LGH had enough oxygen which would enhance care for patients which would serve 150 outlets spread across the wards.
Dr Njekwa said LGH had reduced the number of referrals to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka due to the availability of specialist doctors.
He said the hospital received 43 new members of staff such as two physiotherapist as well as midwives who were all on pay roll.
Dr Njekwa said the monthly operational grant had been consistent and that the huge debt that the hospital had incurred was slowly being dismantled and expressed confidence that LGH would be debt free by November this year.
