Ambassador Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Martinez at the handover ceremony at Samfya Health Center

Samfya
May 23, 2006

Good morning. I’m grateful for the warm hospitality given to me and my team from Lusaka by the people of Samfya.

Indeed, I am pleased to extend warm wishes from the United States Government and the American people who through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have been working in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health to help improve health standards of the Zambian people.

As you know, Luapula Province faces many challenges in delivering health services to the community. Some of the major constraints include lack of transport and communication facilities and inadequate medical equipment and supplies. Another significant constraint is the health sector human resource crisis, with rural provinces like Luapula feeling the greatest effects of staff shortages. All of these factors affect the quality of services being provided to the people.

The Ministry of Health has clearly identified the lack of suitable housing, poor infrastructure at health centers, and the lack of basic medical equipment and supplies as conditions that make it difficult to attract and retain health workers in rural areas. I am pleased that the American people were able to respond to these needs identified by the Luapula Provincial and District Health Offices, as we know what a premium Minister Masebo puts on this type of assistance. This grant, administered by USAID’s partner, the Health Services and Systems Program, was able to address many of these challenges in through its support in Luapula.

Samfya District is among the major beneficiaries of this support. Seven staff houses have been rehabilitated at this facility, the Samfya Stage II Health Center, which I understand is the largest health center in the district and also serves as referral center for six other facilities. I am confident that this support will not only motivate but also retain health workers where they are most needed. The Samfya Stage II Health Center has also received five sets of instruments to assist in infant deliveries sets which are critical to improving the quality of delivery services for women in labor and their newborn babies, and I am proud to hand over this equipment today.

This afternoon, we shall see the 15-seater Star Craft engine boat purchased for Samfya District with USG support. This vessel will be used as a water ambulance for patients from the Islands in Lake Bangweulu and for supportive supervision duties by the district and provincial health teams, thus contributing to further advances in health for the people in this district.

In addition, two other health centers in the district have been renovated, and five have received solar-powered radios. Three health centers have received solar power for lighting, which includes lighting for staff houses at these facilities. The American people are proud to be associated with this effort, and I heartily congratulate the Provincial Health Director and the Ministry of Health, whose collaborative efforts enhanced timely completion of the works.

The U.S. Government is committed to supporting the GRZ in the implementation of the National Health Strategic Plan and the partnership efforts which have made possible these achievements which we recognize today. I also want to take the opportunity to thank the Minister of Health, the Honorable Sylvia Masebo, for recognizing the U.S. Government’s support to the National Human Resources for Health Strategic Plan, particularly the work in Luapula Province that we are celebrating yesterday in Mansa and today in Samfya. Working together, we can improve the health of Zambians.

I have been looking forward to coming to Samfya to see the white sands on the shores of Lake Bangweulu. Later today I will be visiting the ‘place where the water meets the sky’ when I shall hand over the boat to the people of Samfya. I look forward to both these activities.

Thank you, once again for the warm welcome accorded to me and my team from Lusaka.

Thank you.