Zambia: Residents of Mato village in Lupososhi district have called on the government to construct a health post in the area. The community members have expressed that there is a serious lack of healthcare structures near the village.
The people have to travel long distances to get access to basic and critical healthcare facilities. Many residents of the village have come forward to express their concern on the situation.
Esther Chungu, who is a Safe Motherhood Action Group (SMAG) member shared the situation that the expectant mothers are currently facing. She said expectant mothers are facing challenges getting to nearby health facilities.
The Safe Motherhood Action Group member revealed that the nearest health center is situated 20 kilometers from their locality. Chungu said the long distance to access health facilities has resulted in mothers giving birth in homes. Some of the mothers are even forced to give birth while going to the health facilities.
The latter situation is often unmonitored by relevant healthcare officials and can lead to unfortunate and catastrophic outcomes. Esther Chungu said the situation is critical during rainy seasons, as the area is often waterlogged and also lacks transport.
Chungu said this when the community held a meeting with the district administration at Mato Primary School.
Meanwhile, Lupososhi District Commissioner Simon Mwenya advised the locals to take advantage of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to apply for such projects. The CDF has helped many communities in constructing critical infrastructures for the benefit of the people.
District Commissioner Mwenya explained that President Hakainde Hichilema has increased the CDF allocation for the communities. The increase in the amount aims to ensure that traditional leaders and the community can come together to decide on what projects can be done in their localities.
He has since urged the people to elect people who can represent them well in the forthcoming Ward Development Committees (WDCs) elections set for next month.