Govt wins hearts in Chikankata …Dr Puma Lwipa reopens biomedical centre

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By Mukobeko Fumani and Derrick Sinjela in Chikankata Mission, Mazabuka District  Friday October 5 2007

GOVERNMENT and The Church are said to be partners in any nations Development process. This long held goal has always been acknowledge by the politicians and ecumenical stakeholders.

This statement came alive again on Friday October 5 2007 when Deputy Minister of Health Puma Lwipa officiated the official re-opening of The Salvation Army College of Biomedical Sciences at Chikankata Mission which is 125 kilometers in Mazabuka District.

Before the re-opening, Head of Clinical Services, Dr Gardner Siakantu, MOH Spokesperson Dr Canisius Banda District Administrator Wilson Sianduka, Chiefteness Mwenda of the Bansanje Royal establishment, and Chikankata Member of Parliament (MP) Munji Habeenzu.

The event which was hosted by Salvation Army Territorial Commander Vinece Chigariro, Chief Medical officer, Dr Trevor Kaile, Biomedical Scientist Portipher Pilingana, University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical sciences, Dr J.C Shinondo and Mission Director, Christopher Mabvuto were on hand to witness the reopening.

To spice up the event, students put up a sketch entitled ‘Crisis in a Village First Year Student  Nosiku Sitali presented a bouquet to Dr Puma Lwipa as he was being taken on a tour of medical facilities which includes land on which a Medical university supported by Government, and ecumenical partners from England, United States of America, Australia and the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ).

During the tour of the site on which the university is to be constructed on, Chigariro said a partner ecumenical group in the USA had just provided US$30, 000 a couple of days ago.

She expressed hope that in union and diversity the project would not just come to fruition but most importantly contribute to improved socio economic well-being of Chikankata villages and Zambia as a whole.

In noting support rendered by CHAZ, Chigariro pledged Salvation Army’s commitment and heartfelt desire to complement Governments effort as doing saw vindicated their mission motto of entrenching godliness, , hard work and cleanliness.

Dr Kaile, who recited a word from late President, Ronald Reagan expressed a desire that Zambians would plough in enough resolve without seeking self praise.

“Ronald Reagan once if a lot is done together, there is a lot to be done together, and if only no once cared to take or claim the credit. If no one cared to take the credit but worked tirelessly as a team member, man would achieve more,” Dr Kaile recited a passage from the late USA President, Ronald Reagan’s talk on the subject of teamwork.

He explained that a two-phased plan within the next five to seven years would see a degree programme being added on the diploma medical qualification currently on offer to nurses, biomedical and pharmaceutical students.

Dr Kaile said close to US $1.2 million was a tentative estimate of the project which upon completion will house 240 students, 20 staff houses and an administrative block including infrastructure Development in within the facility.

CCBS Manager Pilingana called for moral and material support from the MoH and hoped to witness the Dr Brian Chituwo, led ministry easing their mobility through provision of a vehicle or two.

District Administrative Officer (DAO) Sianduka praised the MoH and CHAZ for partnering in mitigating the incidence of malaria through residual spraying and provision of 40, 000 Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN), which benefited people in Mazabuka district including Kafue Flats villagers.

Chiefteness Mwenda of the Bansanje Royal Establishment in Chikankata said she would never tolerate to have the institution closed and hoped that the biomedical facility would be consolidated by encouraging Zambian medical practitioners not to seek greener pastures elsewhere.

Chikankata MP, Munji Habeenzu in calling for a joint effort equally cautioned the Zambian public against harassing medical personnel in particular nursing staff as doing so would prompt them to work in the Diaspora.

Habeenzu, who is also chairperson of the parliamentary committee on health and social services is elated that the university dream is now becoming a reality.

He expressed optimism that Governments presence affirmed a blessing of the reopening of the biomedical college..

And reopening the college which shut its doors in 1999, Health Deputy Minister, Dr Lwipa reiterated Governments commitment towards bring development and in particular, health services closer to the people.

The College is a government granted aided training institution through the Zambia’s Ministry of Health, owned and run by the Salvation Army since 1947. It started with training two medical assistants/dressers that graduated from the college in 1950. This was later improved upon in 1952 and started training Enrolled Nurses. In 1966 Enrolled Midwifery training was introduced. The Enrolled Nursing programme was upgraded in 2008 to Registered Nursing while the Enrolled Midwifery was upgraded in 2013 to Registered Midwifery. The college introduced e-Learning training (distance programme) for Registered Nurses in 2015. In September 2018 the college introduced Registered Midwifery programme for pre-service students. Over the years the College has produced many Enrolled Nurses and Midwives; and Registered Nurses and Midwives significantly contributing to the number of health professionals required both in urban and rural areas of Zambia and the world at large.

Chikankata College of Nursing and Midwifery is located in Chikankata District of Southern Province, 31 kilometers (km) away from Lusaka-Livingstone road and 60 km East of Mazabuka town, about 220 km North-East of Choma the Provincial Capital and about 125 km from Lusaka the capital city of Zambia.

Today there are 478 students working towards passing the three year course for registered nurses programmes which are divided into classroom theory and clinical practice. These young, yet dynamic and committed students, combined with a competent administrative support staff has earned the college a ranking and reputation of being one the top Nursing Colleges in Zambia. To date Chikankata College of Nursing and Midwifery has graduated over 2000 nurses who are serving our country within both the private and public health sectors. The College is currently running a three year Registered Nursing programme (regular and e-Learning) with a one year in-service Registered Midwifery programme and a 3 year pre-service Registered Midwifery programme.

The large part of their training is allocated to their practical in the clinical area of the hospital and other health centres and hospitals within the country that offer specialties that are not offered at Chikankata Mission General Hospital. The upgrading of the qualification level from certificate to a Diploma is also in response to the WHO resolution passed at the 49th World Health Assembly (WHA), where all member states were urged to strengthen Nursing and Midwifery Education and Practice (WHO 491). WHO recognized that cost effectiveness of good nursing and midwifery practice makes a major difference to quality and effectiveness of health care service.