CHALI MULENGA
Livingstone
Shafik Hospital Director Grace Shafik has called for stronger community involvement in supporting Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), saying collective action is key to improving healthcare delivery and sustaining the institution’s service to the public.
Ms Shafik said this during the donation of chairs to the hospital’s neonatal unit, where she expressed pride in her association with the facility, noting that she was trained and previously worked there.
She said the hospital remains a community asset that requires continued support from former staff, residents and stakeholders to enhance patient care and working conditions.
“I am so proud of this place. Being one of the staff trained here gives me great joy to see the commitment being demonstrated by the nurses and management,” Ms Shafik said.
She said her decision to contribute was motivated by efforts already being made by hospital staff to improve service delivery, adding that even small contributions could make a meaningful difference.
“When I saw what the chief nurse and nurses were doing, I asked myself why I could not also come in and support. We are just one family and this hospital is ours,” she said.
Ms Shafik urged individuals and organisations to support health facilities in practical ways, saying not all contributions needed to involve large-scale infrastructure projects.
“We may not be able to build massive structures for the hospital, but in our small ways we can help make it better than it was before,” she said.
She also paid tribute to senior staff who mentored her during her time at the hospital and commended health workers for their continued dedication to patient care.
At the same event, LUTH officials said the donated chairs would significantly improve comfort for mothers caring for newborns in the neonatal unit, many of whom spend long hours at the bedside.
Chief Nursing Officer Petronela Mundia said the intervention directly supports mothers of sick infants who require constant attention and emotional care.
“A special note to these chairs is that they are going to help mothers who have small babies who are not feeling well. These mothers need a little help, and this is a special touch,” Ms Mundia said.
She said the availability of seating would allow mothers to rest while remaining close to their babies, enabling them to participate in breastfeeding and observation.
Neonatal Unit In-Charge Zuzele Hakamata said the chairs would also benefit visiting fathers and relatives, adding that they were an essential addition to the unit rather than mere furniture.
“These are duty chairs. Most mothers sit on these chairs while breastfeeding their babies. Even when fathers come to visit, they also need a place to sit,” Mr Hakamata said.
He thanked Shafik Hospital for the donation, saying it would improve the welfare of both patients and caregivers.
The donation is expected to enhance comfort and improve the caregiving environment in the neonatal unit at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital.
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