FQM asked to help in the construction of referral hospital

GOVERNMENT has asked First Quantum Minerals (FQM) to help in the construction of a provincial referral hospital in Solwezi.

Currently, Solwezi General Hospital is the only referral health facility for the entire province but it is overwhelmed due to increased population coupled with warn out structures.

However, authorities in the mineral rich province have initiated a plan to construct a state of the art health facility.

And the ground breaking to commence the construction was done early this year by vice president Mutale Nalumango though works haven’t yet started.

Commerce, Trade and Industry minister Chipoka Mulenga says the mission to build the state of the art facility is huge hence the need for other partners like the mines to come on board.

He said government cannot do it alone as health is critical to both human, social and economic development of the country.

“This facility once completed it will cushion and lessen the pressure currently being exerted on the Solwezi General Hospital, “said Mr Mulenga.

He said government’s vission and desire is to have health tourism in the country.

He however stated that in order to achieve this, health facilities needs to be state of the art.

Mr Mulenga was speaking during the commissioning of the Arts and Theatre Chapel named after the FQM chairman Philip Pascal in Solwezi at the Trident College.

The chapel has been dedicated to Mr Pascal being the founder of the mining conglomerate.

And in response, Mr Pascal commited the mining company’s continues support in supplementing government efforts in various sectors in the country.