Eastern Province has less than 50 per cent of the required number of midwives.

Eastern Province has less than 50 per cent of the required number of midwives.
This came to light during the graduation of 207 nurses and midwives at Mwami Mission Hospital in Chipata.
Eastern Province Assistance Secretary, Beenzu Chikuba, says that the newly graduating midwives and nurses will assist in cautioning the staff deficit being experienced in most hospitals, once employed.
Ms. Chikuba says government recognizes the important role that the health sector plays in society.
She added that government is constructing four district hospitals in Chipata, Lundazi, Nyimba and Vubwi and 57 health posts across the province.
Ms. Chikuba indicated that this is to caution the long distances being covered by people to access health services and avoid congestion in hospitals.
The assistant secretary says that the European Union last year funded 1.3 million Kwacha to Chipata General Hospital, 1.6 million Kwacha to St. Francis hospital and 1.4 million kwacha to Mwami for infrastructure development.
She explained that over 5.4 million Kwacha has so far been released to the three nursing schools.
Ms. Chikuba says that the upgrading of most hospitals in order to accommodate specialized departments and construction of 600 health posts is one such measure to improve access to medical care.
Meanwhile government has been urged to address challenges being faced by the three nursing schools in Eastern Province.
Mwami School of Nursing Principal tutor, George Mwamba says that Chipata General, Mwami and St. Francis schools of nursing face similar challenges.
He was speaking during the graduation of 207 nurses and midwives at Mwami Mission Hospital in Chipata
Mr. Mwamba mentioned the challenges as limited staff establishment to accommodate old and newly recruited tutors and lack of utility vehicles.
He says that faculties in schools of nursing have identified staff who are eligible to be tutors so that they can beef up the staffing levels.
Mr. Mwamba says it is for this reason that government should consider lifting the stress of teaching staff due to the shortage of tutors and clinical instructors.