MINISTER of Health Elijah Muchima says the government is in the process of procuring more helicopters for the flying doctors.

Dr Muchima explains that the move is aimed at increasing health access in rural areas.

He indicates that there is need for more health outreaches in rural areas so that people are not dying from curable diseases.

ZANIS reports that the Minister said this today, when he toured Mansa General Hospital.

Dr Muchima notes that most people in rural areas find it difficult to access quality health services hence the need to enhance flying doctor’s services.

“Flying doctors have been doing a very great job as they are able to visit rural areas and as a government we want to empower them even more so that more people can be reached out,” he says.

The Health Minister points out that it is the government’s desire to see to it that every Zambian including those in rural areas have access to qualified health services.

Dr Muchima observes that with more helicopters for flying doctors, then provinces like Luapula with a number of islands will see more people having access to specialised health treatment from experts.

And Mansa Central member of Parliament Chitalu Chilufya has appeared to the Minister of health to help in addressing the problem of malaria in the province.

Dr Chilufya reveals that malaria still remains one of the major health challenges which the province faces especially in rural areas.

The Mansa Central Member of Parliament observes that the malaria prevalence is still very high hence the need for more interventions.

“There is a need for more interventions in trying to address the malaria problem in our province,” says Dr Chilufya.

Dr Chilufya has also commended the government for promoting universal health coverage.

Meanwhile, Mansa General Hospital Medical Superintendent Markfold Chipili says the hospital is fully equipped in terms of availability of essential medicines.

Dr Chipili discloses that currently the hospital is sitting at 85 percent availability of essential medicine.

He further adds that the hospital has received a new x- ray machine which has improved service provision at the hospital.