By Scoop Reporter
KALOMO District Commissioner Joshua Sikaduli says he expects a significant rise in the number of institutional maternal deliveries following the directive by President Hakainde Hichilema to have maternity annexes in all health centres across the country.
Speaking when he officiated at a handover of a labour-based Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at Moonde Rural Health centre maternity annex in Kalomo yesterday, Mr. Sikaduli says Government attaches great importance to maternal child health adding that every mother has the right to access good quality health services and that no woman should give birth at home because it is not safe.
“The completion of this structure has come at a right time and compliments the efforts of the Government following the directive of the President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema that all health institutions must have a maternity annex so that women can give birth in a conducive environment,’’ Mr. Sikaduli observed.
Meanwhile, the District Commissioner has called on gatekeepers such as traditional leaders to promote good health practices within their communities by collaborating with the Government and the health ministry through established structures that can develop meaningful interventions such as by-laws that will discourage risk practices like community deliveries and instead promote institutional deliveries.
And chief Sipatunyana of Kalomo, who graced the handover ceremony, has urged his headmen to promote good health practices and to stop the home delivery tendencies among expectant mothers.