Zambia: People in the area of Traditional Authority Nkaya in Balaka are happy with the construction of the new health post in the community. The Balaka District Council constructed the health post with the investment of K93 million, for the welfare of the community.
The residents of the Traditional Authority Nkaya have called the health post a game-changer. The health post is expected to ease the worries of the community by providing them easier access to health facilities.
Before the construction of the health facility, people from Nkaya were forced to walk over 42 kilometres for medical help. The only medical facility nearest to them was the Balaka District Hospital or Phimbi Health Centre which was 20 km away.
The people are the authorities to construct the health facility using the funds from the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD). The people of the traditional authorities have been coming forward to share their grievances with the previous situation.
According to one of the residents, Alinafe Salibu, people even lost their lives in the process of getting medical help as facilities were too far away. The people have expressed their delight at the construction of the health post and pledged to protect the structure.
The residents of the Traditional Authority Nkaya promised that they would not allow any vandalism in the facility. Further, the community has further asked the government to provide critical drugs within the administration.
The people of the country should be given the help that they need when they come to a health facility. The government officials of the country have also reiterated their commitment to providing the population with critical health facilities.
Director of Health Services at Balaka District Council, Dr Chimwemwe Thambo announced that the Ministry of Health wants to construct health facilities closer to communities. This will ensure that people don’t have to travel long distances to get access to treatments.
Director for Planning and Development for Balaka Council, Chris Nawata, shared that the local authority was excited about the new facility. They claimed that it would accommodate the actual needs of the communities.
“We will soon construct staff houses so that health personnel should stay closer. As of now, services like Under Five Clinics can commence,” he said.