THE Parliamentary Committee on Health has bemoaned inadequate bed spaces at Chipata General Hospital and St Francis Mission Hospital in Katete District in Eastern Province.
Committee Chairperson Likando Mufalali said that the two hospitals were overwhelmed with the number of patients due to the absence of district hospitals.
Mr Mufalali, who is also UPND Senanga Member of Parliament said when he visited the Chipata General Hospital on Thursday that the two hospitals were built along time ago for a smaller population.
He said there was need for district hospitals in Chipata and Katete in order to decongest the two health institutions.
“The Chipata General and St Francis Mission Hospitals are overwhelmed due to lack of enough bed spaces for patients. We need district hospitals in the districts,” he said.
Mr Mufalali said that there was need for the country to work extra hard to ensure that Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) number four, five and six were achieved.
Meanwhile Mumbwa MMD MP Dr Brian Chituwo said the executive should improve the health sector by putting a clear distinction between Ministry of Health and Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health.
Dr Chituwo observed that there was confusion between the two ministries in the handling of health matters.
Kaoma MP Carlos Antonio said there was need to put up more infrastructure developments for health in the country.
Chipata General Hospital acting Medical Superintendent Dr Mbinga Mbinga said that the hospital has recorded a high number of maternal deaths due to heavy bleeding by expectant mothers.
He said that in 2014, the hospital recorded an increase in maternal deaths from 0.7 to 0.9 per cent.
Dr Mbinga described the situation, which was also attributed to high blood pressure in pregnant women as worrying.
Meanwhile Dr. Mbinga revealed that the medical facility needs a backup generator and an emergency theatre in the maternity ward.
The parliamentary committee had comprised Kapiri Mposhi MP Eddie Musonda, Mangango MP Rodgers Lingweshi,Chikankata MP Munji Habeenzu and Mbala MP Mwalimu Simfukwe.
President Lungu should replace Dr. Joseph Kasonde (Mr. Artificial drug shortages), Minister of Health with Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, a very dynamic and hard working Deputy minister.Dr Kasonde is too old and out of touch with people and health mamangement issues at his own Ministry and health facilites. A total shake up and restructuring is urgently needed at the Ministry of Health. The Primary health, Mother and Child Component should be taken back to the Ministry of Health. The split has caused alot of confusion in the sector.