– St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital’s celebrates’ own jubilee

St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital’s  celebrates’ own jubilee

Rufunsa,June 14,2014,ZANIS—–Pomp and splendour characterised yesterday’ St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations in Rufunsa District of Lusaka Province with Pope Francis wishing Zambians prosperity and peace.

And Apostolic Nuncio for Zambia and Malawi, Julio Murat, led scores of Catholic faithful in commemorating the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital’s Golden Jubilee.

Meanwhile, Government has reaffirmed its commitment in enhancing the delivery of social services to the people.

ZANIS reports that St. Luke’s Mpanshya Mission was a hive of activities as it played host to scores of people who came to witness its Golden Jubilee.

The event,  which also coincides with the country’s 50th Independence Celebrations later in October this year,  begun with a Holy Mass with Main Celebrant Archbishop Julio Murat who is also Vatican Ambassador to Zambia.

And delivering his homily at the mission hospital in Rufunsa District yesterday, Apostolic Nuncio Murat said Pope Francis is calling on Zambian Catholics to embrace and promote peace and unity in diversity.

Archbishop Murat added that the Holy See wants Zambian Catholics to continue leading exemplary lives and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Prelate assured Zambians of the Catholic Church’s continued support to the country’s social sector especially health and education in a bid to reduce poverty and disease among the people.

Earlier, Community Development, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Ingrid Mphande disclosed that plans are underway to upgrade St.Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital to a second level facility.

Ms. Mphande explained that the Mission Hospital has been a major player in the health sector as it is the only hospital in the newly created Rufunsa District of Lusaka Province.

She noted that despite the Mission Hospital being a first lever referral center, the facility is currently offering services of secondary level hospital.

Ms. Mphande further noted scenario comes with extra costs for the district and government is committed in upgrading the facility.

At the same function, Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Wamunyima Muana commended the mission Hospital for its efforts in saving lives of accident victims along the Great East Road.

Mr. Muana pointed that it was for this reason that government has given the hospital an ambulance to enhance referral and emergency services in the district.

He praised the Catholic Church in supplementing government’s efforts in the social sector aimed at bettering the lives of Zambians.

Mr. Muana pledged government’s commitment in accelerating the attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and accessibility to quality health services to all Zambians.

Scores of faithful and Non Catholics attended the colourful event that marked 50 Years of St.Luke’s Mpanshya Mission Hospital.