The Esther Lungu Foundation Trust has embarked on a goat project which seeks to empower community based health workers in an effort to enhance activities aimed at promoting safe motherhood in communities.
Trust patron, Esther Lungu said the foundation will support Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs), family planning committees and Neighborhood community health workers with seed capital.
Mrs. Lungu said in an interview on Friday that community groups will be expected to purchase and breed goats and that her foundation will provide market for the goats in Saudi Arabia as this will help the community groups enhance their activities.
She said the project which started with the seed capital to community based health workers in Lundazi will be rolled out to others districts in the country.
Mrs. Lungu also stated that maternal and child health are among the pillars of the Esther Lungu foundation trust which also promotes women empowerment, persons with disabilities access to clean and safe water and sanitation which are critical issues affecting communities.
Meanwhile, the First Lady who concluded her five day campaign for safe motherhood in Lundazi district with a call for more community driven activities and linkages in order to attain the desired universal access to sexual reproductive health services without leaving anyone behind.
The First Lady said in an interview that community health workers and traditional leaders have proved to be pro-active and effective partners in promoting safe motherhood and access to sexual reproductive health facilities among villages which she said has been leading to a reduction in maternal deaths.
She however, expressed concern that young girls in Lundazi district have been victims of obstetric fistula, a medical condition caused by prolonged obstructed labor.
Mrs. Lungu notes that it is sad that young mothers suffer continuous foul discharge and leaking of stool, which she said is a result of early indulgence into sexual activities when the body is not fully developed for child bearing.
The first lady thanked both national and international partners who she said have contributed to the country’s success in the health sector.
She stated that partners such as UNFPA, CIRDZ, UNICEF, WHO, USAID, DFID and many others have been helping the Zambian Government provide sound health services to the people.
We’d love to see Esther Lungu Foundation help in cleanup of Lusaka otherwise these goats will be eating toxic trash.
Siwale said Ba Ester was maid to Tasila’s father. Who is Tasila’s mother??
Ilyashi lyapano isonde.
Markle Meghan started working for people as a small kid. That is genuine charity
Some one in chalala is waiting for hubby to become president that’s when she’ll set up NGO for the poor like other first ladies .Laughable