THE pain of seeing a Mpika woman holding lifeless babies after a roadside birth, due to lack of neonatal care, has prompted the Zambia National Seevice Eagles Ladies’ club to put up a hospital at the ZNS milling plant to service the community on time.
The woman’s loss of twins half way through her journey to the hospital that was many kilometers away from her home, inspired change to save lives in the years to come, as the ZNS Eagles Ladies club in collaboration with city marathon and corporation partners, has launched the Eagles marathon to gather financial contributions that will be channeled towards the construction of the hospital.
Members of the public and military personnel from ZNS and the Air wing yesterday turned up in numbers to offer support to the club by participating in the marathon.
Minister of Sport, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu commended the Eagles Ladies Club for initiating such a project, which will provide the much-needed advanced medical care and facilities not only to ZNS personnel but the surrounding communities especially expecting mothers, the elderly and children.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by permanent secretary in charge of sport, Kangwa Chileshe, the minister said sport including athletics enhance physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, as the alleviate the risk of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, stress, anxiety and depression.
He said the event was also important for talent identification.
“As a country, we have a wealth of untapped talent in athletics, and it is through platforms like these that future champions are discovered,”said Nkandu.
“The involvement of the military in this initiative is particularly noteworthy. A fit and energetic military is essential for safeguarding our national security. Activities like this marathon ensure our military personnel remain physically prepared, while fostering civil-military relations with their civil counterparts.”
Club Matron Sylvia Solochi said, the Eagles marathon is a beacon of hope and unity in improving the livelihood of people.
She said the initiative is a step towards actualizing the K27 million hospital project at the ZNS milling plant, that was initiated in May 2023.
Sylvia said the marathon will be an annual event for income generating towards the lives of people in rural areas.
“Let us remember that each step taken on this journey brings us closer to building a healthier, stronger and more resilient community,”the matron said.
In addressing the media, Sylvia said the Mpika woman’s roadside birth and subsequent death of her twins due to no immediate care, sparked the urgent need for a health facility, which is now at slab level.
“When we were in Mpika, I was told was a certain lady gave birth on the way to the hospital because her village is 15 kilometers from where she stays. She gave birth to the twins and those twins died,” said Sylvia.
“It was a sad story that my national executive committee was saddened to hear about, then we planned to say we need a hospital which is nearer for the catchment between 15,000 and 20, 000 people, not military personnel but villagers around the unit.”
ZNS commander lieutenant general Maliti Solochi, called for support from the citizenry as Zambia’s population continues to grow, hence there’s need for concerted efforts in raising funds.
And Zambia Airforce commander lieutenant general Oscar Nyoni said the initiative is a great way to keep military personnel fit.
“We are interested in seeing that our soldiers are fit going forward. The women’s clubs need to be supported for their great work. Whilst we are using one stone we are killing so many birds,”he said.
And Zambia mature Athletics Association’s longest serving president Elias Mpondela said running prevents cognitive decline, and also commended the matron for implementing such a project in Mpika.
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba December 9, 2024.