Thu, 08 Jun 2017 10:07:41 +0000
By OSCAR MALIPENGA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu through the government of the People’s Republic of China has upgraded Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital into a level three (University Teaching) Hospital.
The Head of State said the upgrading of Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital into a University Teaching Hospital is a culmination of several discussions, consultations and exchange of ideas between Zambia and the government of the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the phase two of Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital into a University Teaching Hospital, President Lungu said the construction of the modern hospital is expected to be completed within three years.
The Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital would be enrolling 3000 medical students annually.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Inonge Wina, President Lungu said the expansion and construction of phase two of Levy Mwanawasa general hospital had been made possible with support from the People’s Republic of China.
“It is a culmination of several discussions and consultations and exchange of ideas between the two governments especially after the construction of this hospital that opened to the public five years ago on the 8th of August 2011.
“Currently, Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital has a bed capacity of 239. The groundbreaking ceremony today is for a much larger state-of-the-art hospital with a bed capacity of 826,” he said.
President Lungu said the expansion of the hospital would transform it into a modern health facility.
He said the project was a major milestone of the Patriotic Front (PF) government’s efforts in improving the lives of Zambians by bring quality health care services closer to the family.
“This expansion will further assist catering for the growing population of Lusaka Province as well as offer specialised treatment.
“Indeed, a noble gesture of the People’s Republic of China will forever be appreciated and treasured by the PF government and the people of Zambia,” he said.
President Lungu said since 2012, China had continued sending a team of doctors to Levy Mwanawasa Hospital to beef up the existing medical personnel, adding that there was currently a team of medical experts working in various units at hospital.
He said apart from working at the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, the teams were also involved in outreach services through mobile hospitals based at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital.
“I have been informed that these doctors are highly qualified and experienced to the extent that they have set up a paramedic facility that has made it possible for our doctors to consult with their counterparts in China on how best to handle certain medical conditions.
