ZAFFICO refurbishes hospital emergency room

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 11:56:37 +0000

By Violet Tembo

THE Zambia Forestry and Forests Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) has refurbished an emergency wing at the Ndola Teaching Hospital at a cost of K485, 000.

And Government has bemoaned that few companies are giving back to communities through corporate social responsibility (CRS) in areas in which they are operating.

Speaking during the handover of the newly refurbished wing, Copperbelt minister Bowman Lusambo noted that some institutions were not working according to the expectations of Government.

And Mr Lusambo noted that up to 30 percent of patients that died due to lack of inadequate equipment and proper care would reduce with the new resuscitation room which would help save the lives of patients that would have died due to breathing and bleeding problems.

Mr Lusambo said the refurbished works at the institution by ZAFFICO has prompted Government to engage companies to select projects that required facelift.

“Many companies on the Copperbelt are not working according to our expectation. As Government we will ensure that we engage communities to come up with projects which we want the companies to implement,” he said.

Mr. Lusambo called for concerted efforts from stakeholders to help supplement Government’s effort in the delivery of quality services to the people.

He also called for public private partnerships (PPP) to help cushion the burden on Government.

He urged other organizations to emulate ZAFFICO whose works were supplementing Government s efforts.

And Ndola Teaching Hospital medical superintend Alex Makupe said the hospital was the first in Zambia to have a resuscitation room where it was hoped more lives would be saved.

Dr Makupe said with the transitioning of the casualty wing to an emergency room, the medical personnel remained committed to delivering to the expectations and goals of Government by giving the best service to patients.

ZAFFICO board chairperson Jacob Mwitwa said despite paying dividends to Government the company was committed to giving back to the community through its CSR programmes.

Professor Mwitwa said their CSR programme was aimed at not only giving back to organizations but individuals who have contributed towards the safeguarding of the organizations’ plantations and assets.

He advised the hospital management to approach other organizations to come on board and assist in areas that needed assistance to better the running of the institution.