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By MUBITA KATETE
THE Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) has donated 10 oxygen concentrators to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) – Children’s Hospital as part of its ongoing support for healthcare services in the country.
Dr Mutumwa Muyangana, the Medical Officer for the USAID TB LON project said the 10 oxygen concentrators would improve patient care at the UTH-Children’s Hospital.
“The USAID TB LON project, implemented by CIDRZ, has been working closely with both the Children’s Hospital and the Adult Hospital. I am delighted to hand over these oxygen concentrators as part of our ongoing support to the hospital,” Dr. Muyangana said
She said the donation shows the strong partnership between CIDRZ, the Ministry of Health, and UTH’s management and staff.
“This collaboration ensures that the patients, both children and adults, receive the best possible care,” Dr Muyangana said.
She said the TB LON Project had been instrumental in supporting tuberculosis (TB) patients in tertiary hospitals across eight provinces.
Dr. Muyangana explained that many patients who sought treatment at such hospitals presented more complex forms of TB, which often required respiratory support.
“In some cases, patients require respiratory support even after completing TB treatment, due to complications arising from the disease itself. This highlights the need for advanced approaches in patient management, including the use of oxygen therapy,” she said.
Dr. Muyangana was confident that the donated oxygen concentrators would provide essential support for patients with post-TB care needs, especially those who experienced respiratory complications from extensive lung damage caused by the disease.
“We are confident that these concentrators will be put to good use, ensuring that patients in need of oxygen therapy can receive it promptly and effectively,” she said.
“We are honoured to be able to contribute to this effort and look forward to continuing our support to strengthen healthcare in Zambia,” said Dr. Muyangana.
