Story by Yolanda Moyo
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery at district level, with renewed focus on improving infrastructure, staffing and the availability of medical supplies to ensure rural communities receive quality health services.
Residents in Nkayi District rely heavily on Nkayi District Hospital, the main referral centre for thousands of people across the district seeking essential medical care.
To assess the challenges facing both patients and healthcare workers, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Honourable Sleiman Kwidini recently toured the facility, inspecting wards and equipment while engaging hospital management on service delivery.
Hospital authorities welcomed the visit, saying it provides an opportunity for government to appreciate the realities faced by healthcare workers on the ground.
“As a district we are encouraged by the visit because it allows the ministry to appreciate the realities we face daily. With continued support in areas such as equipment, infrastructure and staffing, we are confident that service delivery will continue to improve for the people of Nkayi,” a hospital representative said.
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care say such monitoring visits are critical for identifying gaps in the health system and strengthening service delivery in rural areas.
Honourable Kwidini emphasised the importance of district hospitals in the country’s healthcare framework.
“This visit is important because district hospitals are the backbone of our healthcare delivery system. As Government, we want to appreciate the challenges on the ground while also strengthening primary health care from the districts upwards. Our focus is to ensure that communities receive quality and accessible health services closer to where they live,” he said.
Community members also welcomed the engagement, noting that improved services at the hospital would reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.
“We rely on this hospital for most of our health needs. If it continues to receive more support and equipment, it will help many families because travelling to bigger cities for treatment is difficult,” one resident said.
“We appreciate that Government officials are coming to see the situation here for themselves. Our hope is that the hospital will continue to be improved so that we can receive better treatment right here in Nkayi,” another resident added.
Government has in recent years undertaken upgrades and renovations at several health institutions across the country as part of broader efforts to modernise the public healthcare system and improve access to services.
