 in Chisamba District){kind=link}
Zambia: Rocinantes has constructed an ultra-modern maternal annex at Chikonkomene Rural Health Centre (RHC). The maternity annex is a part of the medical infrastructure in Chisamba District of Central Province.
The members of the organization have shared that the maternity annex was a major need of the hour for mothers. The officials further noted that it was important for the administration to get access to these medical facilities.
The officials have shared that the maternity annex was constructed at the cost of Five Million Kwacha. The members of the organization have shared that they are happy to see the new developmemt.
The newly constructed Maternity Annex will help the mothers get access to critical facilities which were previously unavailable in their vicinity.
Chief Chamuka of the Lenje people of Chisamba District commended the Japanese NGO for the support. The NGO received applause for its unwavering endeavours and commitment to supplementing the government’s efforts. to improve health service delivery, especially maternal and child health services.
The traditional leader was speaking during the handover of the maternal annex to government, noted that Rocinantes was also the brain behind the construction of another maternity wing at Mabula RHC.
“These colleagues are very good and willing to extend their unparalleled support even to other parts of the district but on one condition. When I was chatting with them, they told me that they are ready to do more on condition that the maternal annex here is connected to the national power grid,” Chief Chamuka said.
The chief also urged his subjects to ensure all deliveries are done at the facility and warned that home deliveries will not be condoned.
He urged his indunas and the Support Mother Groups (SMGs) to sensitize people about the importance of expectant mothers delivering at facilities.
Further, Chief Chamuka appealed to the government to upgrade Chikonkomene Rural Health Centre (RHC) to a Mini Hospital, stating that the upgrade will address the problem of his subjects covering long distances to reach nearest health facilities.
Earlier, Rocinantes Project Manager Yousuke Tanaka expressed worry at the delayed connectivity of the modern maternal annex to the national power grid.
Tanaka observed that since 2022 the electricity supply in the area has not improved leaving 55 percent of women delivering babies at the facility dissatisfied.
He further called for the control of the risk that pregnant women have been facing through awareness and behavioral change.
“Building the mothers’ shelter alone does not solve the maternal and child health problems in totality. The most important of all is to control the risk that pregnant women have been facing. We aspire to change the awareness and behaviour of pregnant women,” Tanaka said.