Ipas Zambia Media Network

By Linda Mupemo, ZANIS - Milenge Chief Sokontwe of the Ushi speaking people in Milenge district has called on his subjects to desist from visiting traditional healers and make use of the health facilities government has constructed in the area. He said this in a meeting which was organised by Milenge District Hospital management which was aimed at encouraging the community to adopt good health practices. Details in the following report...

By Linda Mupemo, ZANIS - Milenge Herbs - Picture courtesy of Google images MILENGE District Hospital Medical Officer In Charge Nicholas Sakala has raised concern over the poor health seeking behaviour of some members of the community. Dr. Sakala observed that some clients only go to health facilities when their conditions become critical and it is usually too late for health practitioners to intervene.   ZANIS reports that Dr. Sakala said this during the District Adolescent Health Technical Working Group meeting which was held in the Council Chamber yesterday.  He added that most people in the area are fond of visiting traditional healers and pastors and only seek medical intervention when their situation deteriorates.  Dr. Sakala noted that there was rampant consumption of herbal medicine especially among pregnant women.  "There is a high rate of intake of herbal medication in pregnant  women which in turn leads to incre...

By Linda Mupemo, ZANIS - Milenge Milenge youths spotted - Picture by Linda Mupemo MILENGE District Commissioner Mwenya Bupe has called for intensified sensitisation on  behavioural change among adolescents in the area.  Mr. Bupe observed that there was a high number of adolescents who are engaging in illicit activities such as alcohol consumption.  ZANIS reports that The District Commissioner said this during the District Adolescent Health Technical Working Group meeting which was held in the Council Chamber yesterday.  Mr. Bupe said illicit activities such as alcohol consumption lead to  risky behaviours  hence there is need to curb the vices which are rampant in the district.  And Milenge District AIDS Coordination Advisor (DACA) Fanny Gondwe noted that there was need to step up the dissemination of information on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights.  Ms. Gondwe said the high number of teenage pregnancies in...

By Bettyshebar Katebe, ZANIS - Samfya The BREAKTHROUGH Action Zambia social and behavioral change project has closed out in Samfya district of Luapula province. The project which has run for three years was aimed at strengthening the capacity of health facilities in the area by addressing seeking family planning services, HIV testing and condom use among others. Details in the following report.......

By Kennedy Chomba, ZANIS - Mansa Luapula Province Health Director Peter Bwalya says the province has recorded a reduction in the number of maternal deaths.  Dr. Bwalya discloses that 11 maternal deaths have been recorded from January to June this year while 26 were recorded during the same period in 2019. Dr. Bwalya explains that the development is largely due to efforts by a number of stakeholders among them Traditional Leaders. Details in the following report.....

By Pamela Inambao, ZANIS - Chinsali Senior Chief Nkula and Gender Minister Elizabeth Phiri - Picture by Pamela Inambao GENDER Minister Elizabeth Phiri has appealed to stakeholders to work with Government in order to reduce the increasing number of early marriages and teenage pregnancies in the country. The Minister was speaking in Chinsali District recently during a meeting with women which was held at the Farmers Training Center (FTC) and focused on dangers and effects of early marriages. Ms. Phiri said stakeholders play an important role in their communities hence the need for their involvement in issues affecting the nation. She stated that the country has seen an increase in the cases of child marriages adding that Government will continue to engage various stakeholders who include traditional leaders. The Minister charged that men and women should utilise the Girls Education Women Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) Project which is partly aimed at hel...

By Kennedy Chomba, ZANIS-Mansa Picture Courtesy of Google Images Non- governmental Gender Organisation's Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Northern Region Officer Patricia Lwaile has disclosed that 20 girls who were taken back to school after being withdrawn from early marriages last year completed their grade 12. Mrs . Lwaile has also disclosed that 15 more girls who were withdrawn from early marriages managed to qualify to grade 10 last year. The NGOCC Northern Region Officer observed that most of the girls who are taken back to school have proven to be dedicated. She pointed out that the majority of the girls who are being taken back to school perform well provided they are not distracted and that is why her Organisation has continued to supporte them financially. In an interview with ZANIS in Mansa, Mrs Lwaile indicated that most of the girls who are taken back to school are in rural areas hence there are so many factors which hinder them from comple...

By Hellen Chisha, Tuta Radio CHIFUNABULI District Commissioner Adrick Mwaba has assured residents that government will soon operationalize the health facilities that have been constructed in the area. Mr. Mwaba said five health posts have been constructed in Chikuwe, Nshingu,  Kondolo,  Mwewa and Nsashi villages adding that three of those facilities are operational. The District Commissioner said government is committed to taking health services closer to people and will   see to it that people of Chifunabuli are not left behind. He said this following concerns raised by residents over the lack of health facilities in the area which is hindering access to sexual reproductive health services. Innocent Chibale of Mbilimamwenge village disclosed that residents have been walking long distances to access health services in the area. Mr. Chibale said the lack of health facilities in their vicinity has contributed to poor health seeking behaviour in the ...

By Linda Mupemo, ZANIS-Milenge Chief  Sokontwe of the Ushi people in Milenge district has urged men to support their spouses in seeking family planning services at health facilities. Chief Sokontwe notes that doing so promotes love and harmony in families. He said this following concerns raised by Milenge District Medical Officer In Charge Doctor Nicholas Sakala who observes that some men are not taking an active role in accessing family planning services. Details in the following report....