WHO donates ambulance to govt.

Community Development Mother and Child Health Minister Emmerine Kabanshi has observed that prompt referral of patients is key in reducing maternal and child mortality in the country.

Ms. Kabanshi said this in Lusaka today when she received an ambulance and HIV/Syphilis dual kits to her Ministry by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Ms Kabanshi said the donation will go a long way as many health facilities in the country have been grappling with challenges of maternal and child health.

She said the donation has a come at a good time as the country is making strides in ensuring that quality health services are enhanced.

Ms. Kabanshi also disclosed that Chipata Clinic will soon be upgraded to a first level referral hospital in order to bring health services closer to the people.

She said the moveis in a bid to scale up the reduction of the high levels of deaths as a result of pregnancy related cases in the country.

Speaking earlier WHO Representative Olusegun Babaniyi commended government for the efforts being undertaken to implement the safe motherhood initiative.

Dr. Babaniyi said the expected results of the  of the initiatives are not yet fully seen due to the many challenges confronting maternal and neonatal health programmes in the country.

He said Zambia has observed a reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio from 729 per 100,000 live births as per 2007 Demographic Health Survey to 483 per 100,00 live births in 2010.