Zambia: World Vision Zambia has donated 110 bicycles to Community Health Workers Volunteers in Kapiri Mposhi District. The donation has been valued at over 17,000 United States Dollars and would help many volunteers.
The bicycles were donated by World Vision Keembe and Musosolokwe Cluster Area Programme of Kabwe. The donations are meant to enhance mobility for the Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAG) in six communities in the Mpunde area.
The mobility will help the people of the country get access to better healthcare facilities. Meanwhile, the Cluster Manager for the Keembe and Musosolokwe Area Programme, Dingase Mbewe made the donation.
He claimed that the organization will continue to supplement the government’s efforts in ensuring that healthcare services are brought closer to people to reach universal health coverage for all by 2030.
Mbewe said this is why as a child-focused Christian organization, World Vision attaches great importance to the well-being of vulnerable communities, especially children.
“I am therefore delighted to say that, through the support from our donors, World Vision Zambia has invested $17,363. 81 to purchase the bicycles we are seeing today,” She said.
Mbewe said World Vision recognises the challenges being faced by community-based volunteers such as the SMAG members which includes covering long distances to reach out to expectant and lactating mothers as well as children below the age of five.
She said a total of 110 community-based volunteers are expected to benefit from the bicycles.
“This is in line with our five year strategic goal of contributing to the sustained wellbeing of 1, 500 vulnerable children across the country, we believe the donation will go a long way in improving the health status of pregnant women, lactating mothers and under-five children, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGS) Number 3,” she said.
Meanwhile, World Vision Keembe and Musosolokwe Development Facilitator for Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Adolescents Health and Nutrition, Edith Nkhata encouraged the SMAGs to guard the donated bicycles safely.
Nkhata cautioned the SMAG members against abusing the bicycles if they have to serve the intended purpose effectively.
Meanwhile, Mpunde Mission Hospital Administrator, Prisca Chuzu who received the donation praised World Vision for the role it plays in reducing the maternal and infant mortality rates in Zambia.
Sister Chuzu said World Vision Zambia has partnered with the Ministry of Health in various health services aimed at improving the health status of the communities they operate in.
Sister Chuzu said this when she received 110 bicycles intended to benefit SMAGs drawn from Mpunde, Chipepo Chitaba, Kafukwe, Shamputa and Chapusha Communities.
“World Vision has been our partner supporting a number of community based health programmes such as nutrition, peer educators, neighborhood health committees and the recently trained community distributors in family planning,” said Sr Chuzu.