FIRST LADY MUTINTA HICHILEMA AS MORE THEN A MOTHER CHAMPION

FIRST LADY MUTINTA HICHILEMA AS MORE THEN A MOTHER CHAMPION

By Daily News Reporter

 The First Lady Mutinta Hichilema has observed that the offering specialized training to 126 local doctors in various medical fields will transform the delivery of healthcare services in the country.

Mrs. Hichilema stated that training by Mecrk Foundation is a key in ensuring that patients receive quality healthcare services in the country.

She further noted that it is gratifying that the partnership entered between her office and Merck foundation will yield positive results.

She added that her office is looking forward to scaling up the programme and establishing a strong platform of skilled and well trained healthcare experts in the public sector.

“We will continue to scale up the programme with the aim to establish a strong platform of skilled well trained healthcare experts in the public sector,” she said.

Meanwhile Mrs. Hichilema has disclosed that her office has been running a programme with Merck foundation aimed at promoting girl child education in the country.

Mrs. Hichilema explained that through the girl education programme, girls are being assisted with tuition fees so as to enable them complete their tertiary education and so far 21 girls have been offered scholarships up to tertiary education

“Am happy to inform you that through the joint partnership 21 girls have been offered scholarships to cover their tuition fees in nursing and health sciences, in colleges and universities,” she said.

She added that the scholarships offered to the girls will continue till they complete tertiary education successfully.

Mrs. Hichilema indicated that the girls’ education programme is important and critical to every girl child’s welfare and she was stressed that she is a strong believer of girl child education, saying it has the potential to make them self-sufficient and economically independent.

And the same event the First Lady of Zambia was awarded as an Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" Campaign.

And speaking earlier, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rasha Kalej, commended the First Lady for her passion and dedication towards the promotion of girl child education and health.

Dr. Kalej says she was pleased and proud of the impact that the joint partnership has attained within a short period.

She said the effort put in by the First Lady to ensure that the Merck foundation programme is a success is overwhelming and gratifying.

"It gave me great honor to meet my dear sister, the First Lady of Zambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" Campaign, H.E. Mrs. MUTINTA HICHELIME, to discuss our long-term partnership and mark an important milestone of our programs impact, outstanding achievements in building Health care capacity. 126 scholarships to Zambian Doctors in 39 critical and underserved specialties and 21 scholarships to young girls to continue their education,” Kaleji said.