Linda compound may have clinic soon

Tue, 30 May 2017 10:47:57 +0000

By LINDA SOKO TEMBO

RESIDENTS of Linda compound in Lusaka have not had a health facility for more than 30 years now but the situation may change as Government plans to complete a building which was initially intend-ed to be a clinic but was abandoned.

For now the nearest clinics the residents go to seek medical attention is Mount Makulu and Kanyama clinic, Munkolo Ward 12 Patriotic Front (PF) chairman, Alick Mwansa Makaliki, said. Mount Makulu is about 4 km and Kanyama is about 40 km away from Linda compound.

Mr. Makaliki said it was a big challenge for the residents of Linda compound, especially expecting mothers, to go to Mount Makulu or Kanyama clinics to seek medical help because of the distances involved.

“When someone is sick you need about K250 to book a cab and take that person to the nearest clinic and you know most people in Linda are not financially stable,’’ he said.

And speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation, Kanyama Member of Parliament Elizabeth Phiri said she was much aware of the serious challenge residents of Linda compound faced.

Mrs Phiri said Ministry of Heath permanent secretary last week visited the compound and reviewed the situation.

“There is a structure which is not complete which was meant to be the clinic for the people of Linda compound. It was done by donors in conjunction with Constitutional Development Fund (CDF) but unfortunately this structure was not completed,” she said.

She said the permanent secretary for Health had promised to open the clinic in four weeks’ time, should it be completed by then.