Maravi

500,000 babies born in Zambia annually - Kasonde

500,000 babies born in Zambia annually - Kasonde
By Namatama Mundia
Tue 03 Jan. 2012, 13:50 CAT

HEALTH minister Dr Joseph Kasonde has disclosed that 500,000 babies are born in the country annually.

And Dr Kasonde said the government would employ about 2,500 doctors and nurses this year. Receiving a donation of food hampers valued at K7 million from Shoprite and 120 baby cots from Pep Stores on behalf of the University Teaching Hospital and Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Kasonde said half a million babies are born annually.

And Dr Kasonde said quality and competent health workers would be employed.

He said the government would also look at the remunerations for the workers but that they would be careful when doing so and allow others to have a say.

Dr Kasonde said the government was also looking at the serious accommodation problem of health workers in rural areas and ways in which they would ensure that health workers purchased or built their own houses.

On the donation, Dr Kasonde said the gesture by Shoprite and Pep Stores demonstrated their commitment to enriching the lives of sick children in the hospitals.

"The provision of quality health care to members of the public is the number one priority of the Patriotic Front government. This care will be provided in a clean, caring environment by competent staff," Dr Kasonde said.

"This commitment is demonstrated by the increase in allocation in the 2012 health budget which was approved by Parliament and took effect on 1st January, 2012."

He said the importance of provision of health care encompasses the aspect of ensuring the comfort of the patients especially the newly born, ageing and those in critical condition.

Pep Stores area manager south, Brunoh Chanda, said the 80 cots donated to UTH and 40 to the Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital were valued at K27 million.

Shoprite deputy general manager Charles Bota said they were not just here to make profits but also ensured that they paid back to the community.

Labels: HEALTHCARE

posted by MrK @ 5:58 PM