Kalumbila Town Council Chairperson, Shadrick Munjunga, has siad the construction of maternity annexes by government in rural areas is not an encouragement for girls to start falling pregnant prematurely.
Mr Munjunga explained that the maternity annexes that are being constructed across the district are not for young girls who are supposed to be in school.
Speaking when he commissioned the Kachiwezhi maternity annex in Chitungu ward in Solwezi West Constituency, Mr Munjunga said he does not expect to find young girls who are supposed to be in school nursing pregnancies in the newly constructed maternity annexes.
He noted that it is not government policy to construct maternity annexes for young girls who are under age and are supposed to be in school.
“I want to urge you girls, please take note that these maternity annexes the government is constructing are not meant for you to start getting pregnant anyhow because the maternity annex has been brought near your house, no!” he said.
He revealed that using Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the government is constructing maternity annexes to support the women who are settled to deliver in a safe environment and reduce maternal mortality.
And speaking during the same occasion, Kalumbila District Commissioner, Brenda Sankisa, said the massive construction of maternity annexes in wards is a clear demonstration by the government that it cares even for the unborn babies.
Ms Sankisa said it has never happened in the history of the area for each ward to receive an equal share of the national cake.
“I can testify to you that before, pregnant women used to walk long distances to seek maternity services, but now that will be a thing of the past. From now on please mothers make use of these maternity annexes where you have professionals to prevent babies and mothers from dying during childbirth,” she advised.
She said the government though the local authority is working very hard to ensure that the maternity annexes are well equipped for them to be operational.
Ms Sankisa added that the Kalumbila Town Council, using the locally generated funds, has done wonders by equipping maternity annexes with beds, linen, and constructing staff houses and putting up water reticulation systems.
Meanwhile, Ms Sankisa has thanked the government for providing medical personnel in the newly constructed maternity annexes.
She said each commissioned maternity annex is being handled by trained personnel.
Blame the sexual parasites called “men” for preying on these young girls .