Maravi

Caritas Zambia calls for multi sectoral approach in fight against poverty

Caritas Zambia calls for multi sectoral approach in fight against poverty
Written by Kabanda Chulu in Petauke
Saturday, April 04, 2009 4:12:26 PM

CARITAS Zambia, through its Justice and Solidarity Poverty Reduction Fund (JSPRF) project, has challenged Zambians to take a multi sectoral approach in the fight against poverty.

And Petauke District commissioner David Tembo has said there is need to provide equity of access to quality health care for all Zambians.

Officially handing over Chaka Health Post to the Zambian government at Kandongwa village in Kapoche constituency on Thursday, JSPRF project coordinator Patrick Mucheleka said JSPRF had commissioned 46 projects amounting to K3.1 billion around Petauke that were aimed at improving the livelihood of rural communities.

“We work with representatives of local communities in carrying out various empowerment projects because we believe that a multi-sectoral approach in all aspects of development is the only way to fight poverty and in this regard, we are involved in micro financing, distribution of animal draught-power, development of rural infrastructure such as feeder roads, bridges and dam construction,” said Mucheleka.

“But we realised that not all people are farmers hence we embarked on construction and rehabilitation of schools and health centres through partnership with local communities whereby JSPRF will fund the project and the people mobilise materials like molding bricks and other necessities.”

And Tembo said the government could not afford to do everything and commended people in the area for establishing partnership with JSPRF to construct the clinic.

“This development has shortened distances to Manyale, Mumbi and Minga health centres and we urge other communities to emulate what the people of this area have done since government cannot do everything at once,” said Tembo.

“But despite the challenges, we are committed to provide equity of access to quality health care for all Zambians as can be shown in this development whereby people will now access services within the villages.”

And Chaka Health Centre sister-in-charge Doreen Mtonga said the clinic records 85 to 100 out-patients on average per day and less than 10 deliveries [of babies] per month.

She said the clinic did not offer anti-retroviral therapy but only prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) since it was a requirement.

“For serious illnesses, we refer patients to the nearby Manyale Heath Centre or Petauke General Hospital and with HIV and AIDS programme, we only offer services to expectant mothers and after delivery, we refer them to other health centres where they continue receiving treatment,” said Mtonga.

Labels: CARITAS, PETAUKE, POVERTY

posted by MrK @ 3:13 PM