Residents of Lungu in the Bongo District have appealed to the government and health authorities to upgrade the Lungu CHPS Compound to a health centre, saying the move would expand access to healthcare services and improve emergency care in the community.
The appeal follows the community’s donation of medical equipment and a tricycle ambulance, popularly known as a “Canboo,” to the facility as part of efforts to address some of its logistical challenges.
Chairman of the Lungu Community Committee, Cletus Availa, said residents had demonstrated their commitment to improving healthcare by mobilising their own resources to support the facility and now want the government to complement their efforts.
He thanked the chief, assembly member, community leaders and youth within and outside Lungu for contributing towards the acquisition of the equipment.
Mr. Availa particularly commended miners living in the community for contributing to the initiative and encouraged other young people to support development projects in their communities.
Community member Judith Akantoge also appealed to the government and relevant authorities to consider Lungu whenever opportunities arise to upgrade CHPS compounds to health centres.
She said upgrading the facility would improve access to healthcare and reduce the difficulties residents face when seeking medical attention, particularly during emergencies.
A health worker at the Lungu CHPS Compound, Donatus Agale, said the facility had struggled with inadequate medical equipment and reliable transportation for emergency referrals.
“One of the major challenges was the lack of blood pressure monitoring equipment. At times, we had difficulties accessing the equipment needed to monitor our patients. However, whenever we reached out to the assembly member, the chief and the people of Lungu, they responded positively and supported us,” he said.
Mr. Agale said transporting patients requiring urgent medical attention had also been difficult, particularly at night, with pregnant women in labour among those affected.
“Transporting patients to the hospital was often difficult, especially during emergencies at midnight. Now that the community has provided us with the Canboo, we can quickly transport patients to the hospital when the need arises. We are very grateful for this support,” he stated.
He said the tricycle ambulance would strengthen emergency referrals from the CHPS Compound and assured residents that it would be properly maintained and used strictly for emergencies.
“We will ensure that the Canboo is properly maintained and serviced regularly. It will be used strictly for emergency purposes and not for personal or unnecessary activities. We will also work to ensure that a qualified driver is available to operate it whenever an emergency occurs,” he added.
The community also constructed a garage to provide secure parking for the tricycle ambulance.
Mr. Agale thanked the traditional authorities, assembly member and residents for their continued support and pledged that health personnel would use the donated equipment and ambulance efficiently to improve healthcare delivery.
Residents hope an upgrade of the Lungu CHPS Compound to a health centre would build on the community’s investment and enable the facility to provide a wider range of healthcare services to Lungu and surrounding communities.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bongo
