EASTERN Province Minister Peter Phiri says the government remains committed to ensuring that women access maternal health care services in dignified health facilities.

Mr Phiri notes that in view of this, the government has set construction of maternity annexes as top priority under the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

ZANIS reports that the Provincial Minister was speaking after inspecting construction works of a Maternity Annex at Mtumbata Health Post in Petauke District.

 “The President has always indicated that our mothers must be respected, hence, the construction of maternity annexes across the province using CDF,” he said.

Mr Phiri commended Petauke Town Council for conducting due diligence in awarding the contract to the contractor who has delivered on time with quality workmanship. 

“We are quite happy with the construction of this project, it is costing K500,000 and we can tell that there is value for money here,” he said.

And Minga Ward Councillor Sign Mumba implored the contractor to expedite the works so that the expectant mothers start to access maternal health services in a conducive environment.

Mr Mumba commended the government for increasing the CDF saying the initiative has enhanced development in rural areas including his Ward.

He indicated that from the time the government took office, development is visible and the people are able to appreciate government programmes that are being rolled out to all corners of the country.

“We are grateful to the President and his government because the change and development is visible from the time they took office, CDF has increased and everyone is benefiting,” he said.

Meanwhile, Scolastica Nkhoma who is Headwoman Mtumbata appreciated the government for allocating a maternity annex at Mtumbata Health Post.

The traditional leader said the coming of the maternity annex will reduce home deliveries and maternal complications for women in the area.