CHAZ Donates Vehicles, Motor Cycles and a Boat to the Ministry of Health

Following the closure of the Safe Motherhood 360+ Project (SM 360+ Project), the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) has donated nine Land Cruiser motor vehicles, four motorcycles and one boat to 14 districts where the project was being implemented before its closure last year.

The SM360+ project was a five year project that CHAZ implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health from 9^th December, 2015 to 9^th December, 2020. The project funded by the USAID to the tune of US$16 million was a partnership between CHAZ, as a prime implementer, and Jhpiego, as a sub grantee. CHAZ’s focus was on community interventions and Jhpiego focused on building the capacity of the selected health facilities.

The SM 360+ Project’s primary goal was to reduce maternal mortality ratio and newborn mortality rate by 35% in 16 target districts namely Luangwa, Pemba, Choma, Kalomo, Zimba, Livingstone, Nyimba, Petauke, Chipata, Mambwe, Lundazi, Kabwe, Samfya, Lunga, Mansa and Chembe. However, with the creation of new districts the SM 360+ Project support was extended to six more districts namely Chifunabuli, Lumezi, Chasefu, Chipangali, Kasenengwa and Lusangazi bringing the total of target districts to 22.

The handover ceremony of the motor vehicles, motor cycles and a boat was held at the Ministry of Health Ndeke House on 18^th February, 2021. CHAZ Executive Director, Mrs. Karen Sichinga, handed over the assets to Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary – Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Malama, who received them on behalf of all the 14 selected districts health offices. The ceremony was witnessed by senior officials from the two institutions. Dr. Masuka Musumali who  is the Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) at USAID monitored the event via the CHAZ Facebook page.  

In her speech, Mrs. Sichinga expressed gratitude to USAID for accepting the request that nine of the motor vehicles, four motor bikes and a boat that were used by the SM 360+ Project  be handed over to the Ministry of Health for continuation of the Reproductive, Maternal, New-born and Child Health programme.

“We are happy to report that at end of the project, the Maternal Mortality Ratio was 116/100,000 live births representing a 70.8% reduction and Neonatal Mortality Ratio was 9.9/1000 live births representing 78% reduction. This is commendable and it is our hope that we shall continue to see a downward trend in both maternal and neonatal mortality rates,” Mrs. Sichinga said.

Dr Malama commended CHAZ and the US Government through USAID for the kind gesture stating that apart from infrastructure and human resources, transport was a critical component in the delivery of quality healthcare services.

”Allow me to commend the US government through USAID for picking on CHAZ, a strategic partner in the health sector, who knows Zambia well especially the rural and hard-to-reach areas to anchor the SM360+ Project. As a result, the target of reducing maternal mortality ratio and new-born mortality rate by 35% was met. The idea is to replicate this model to the entire country and make sure that we sustain the gains,” Dr. Malama said.

Dr. Malama said the selection of the districts was right and timely because all of them had transport challenges. He urged the District Health Directors in the affected districts to budget for insurance and maintenance costs of the donated assets.

The District Health Offices that benefitted from the USAID gesture are Lusangazi, Kasenengwa, Chasefu, Lumezi, Chipangali, Chifunabuli, Kabwe, Kalomo, Chipata, Mansa, Lunga and Zimba.