THE painful reality of walking up to 30 kilometres just to see a nurse may soon begin to fade for families living in the remote outskirts of Mpika, as the Eagles Ladies Club has placed all the proceeds of this year’s MFZ Eagles Marathon behind the construction of the Tom Fara Mini Hospital.
For years, expectant mothers have delivered babies mid-journey, while others have lost loved ones simply because help was too far away.
It is these quiet tragedies that compelled the Eagles Ladies Club, made up of Zambia National Service (ZNS) officers’ spouses and female officers, to start building the hospital in 2023.
The facility is envisioned to have 30 beds, a maternity wing, radiology services and a paediatrics section, bringing healthcare within reach of over 20,000 people.
But with the project carrying a price tag of more than K27 million, the women know that completing the hospital will require the involvement of the entire nation.
And that is where the MFZ Eagles Marathon comes in.
Scheduled for December 7, the event will channel every kwacha raised from over 4,000 local and international participants expected this year, into the construction of the hospital.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, club patron Angela Solochi, who is the wife of ZNS Commander Lt Gen Maliti Solochi, said the marathon is not just an exercise but an act of compassion to the rural community of Mpika.
“We appeal to every Zambian’s sense of humanity and compassion to help us change the story of the people of Mpika Rural,” she said.
And Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma, who officiated at the groundbreaking in 2023, praised the initiative, saying it reflects the kind of unity the country needs.
“The Tom Fara Hospital Project is a testament to what unity, compassion, and action can achieve,” he noted.
Meanwhile, ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Engineer Maliti Solochi emphasized that the Eagles Ladies have gone beyond the call of duty and commended them for their work.
“This marathon is not just about fitness, it’s about nation-building,” he said.
The marathon, backed by title sponsor Microfinance Zambia (MFZ) is expected to attract thousands of runners from across the country and the region, with race categories ranging from the elite 42.2km to a 6km family-friendly walk.
By George Musonda
Kalemba November 14, 2025
