Investing in health facilities has remained one of the necessary things to do in a country. It is also considered a status of development.

In Zambia, the government is taking necessary steps to provide basic amenities for its cities and this includes health facilities. The government has planned to construct an 800-bed capacity mother and child hospital in Lusaka.

The hospital will be named after the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman Bin Abdelaziz. The hospital is called King Salman Bin Abdelaziz Hospital for Women and Children. The Saudi Arabian Government will be the one sponsoring this project.

The minister of health, Chitalu Chilufya stated that there are plans to set up a specialist clinic and also upgrade the existing Levy Mwanaswasa hospital to a third-level health facility.

He also said that the government has plans to construct general hospitals in Petuake and Chinsali to ensure that there is access to medical services. He added that the government has also reduced its drug debt to one hundred and fifty Kwacha.

The Minister has also disclosed that government plans to put up a system that will attract Zambian doctors and specialists working in the diaspora to come back and serve in the country.

He said his ministry will continue to strengthen healthcare systems so that the country can be healthy and productive.

Dr. Chilufya also disclosed that his ministry will take before Parliament various bills that will enhance medical services in the country.

And the minister says the ministry of health will ensure that by the end of this quarter, the remaining nurses that were recruited in December will be put on the payroll.

He said of the 7400 nurses that were recruited in December 2000 are not yet on the payroll.

Dr. Chilufya also disclosed that the World Bank has allocated 45 million US dollars for TB prevention in mining towns.