Sisters of the Child Jesus Open Little Flower Mother and Child Clinic in Kasama
By Sr. Petronella Mutamba, Kasama CNCS Hub The Sisters of the Child Jesus have opened a private health facility, the Little Flower Mother and Child Clinic, in Kasama, Northern Province, to provide medical services focused on mothers and children. Speaking during the official opening, Sr. Elizabeth Mutamba, Superior General of the Sisters of the Child Jesus said the clinic was established to help people in the area and beyond access medical services and reduce the high costs of traveling long distances for quality care. “As we inaugurate this Little Flower clinic today, let it be a place where healing meets hope, where every patient is treated with dignity and where our collective efforts bring change to society,” she said. She added that the facility will concentrate on mother and child health services and is especially significant as the congregation approaches its 100-year anniversary. “So in the years that we have served the people, we thought of adding another facility to help the community access the much-needed medical services,” Sr. Elizabeth said. And Kasama District Director of Health, Dr. Charles Chungu said mother and child health remains a critical government priority, noting that maternal and prenatal deaths have been declared a public health emergency. “You will be interested again to know that maternal and prenatal deaths have been declared a public health emergency. All resources must be mobilised to support the health of mother and child to prevent deaths and illnesses in our communities,” Dr. Chungu said. He said the clinic’s focus on mother and child health will improve district health indicators by bringing services closer to communities. “So having a facility primarily focused on mother and child health is exciting for us because our mothers and children will access services right near their doorsteps,” he said. Dr. Chungu also commended the longstanding collaboration between faith-based organisations and the Ministry of Health. “This collaboration, demonstrated by our presence here, shows that we will continue to work together to provide health services to the community,” he said. Meanwhile, Fr. Rodgers Fikwamo, Vicar General, said the clinic is expected to grow and attract patients beyond the airport community, including residents of Kasama District and surrounding villages and towns. “I wish this facility protection and support so that it will continue to grow and become what the congregation envisions for its future,” he said.
LUSAKA – 22 Girls Receive Sacraments at Laura Girls Secondary School
By Sr. Tryness Mulubwa, ZAS Hub Twenty-two girls from Laura Girls Secondary School in Kasama have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion during a Mass held at the Laura Centre Formation House chapel. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Patrick Sebyera, a Missionary of Africa. During the homily, Fr. Patrick encouraged the girls to always be hospitable and loving towards one another. The girls who received the sacraments expressed their gratitude to the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco for their accompaniment during the period of preparation. “I am happy and I feel so strong spiritually,” Justina Chilame said. Vannesa Nachiwala said that her relationship with God has moved to another level. This is the second time such an event has taken place at the school.