Govt to embark on primary health-care campaign

Government has said it will embark on a campaign to sensitise people to the need for primary health care.

Minister of Health Dr Jean Kalilani said this in Zomba on Tuesday when she visited Zomba Mental and Zomba Central hospitals.

She was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Health Ralph Jooma and Secretary for Health Willie Samuti.

Kalilani emphasised the need to increase communities awareness on primary health care, saying it would help decongest public health facilities.

“Individuals have to understand primary health prevention at community level and this will cut down on referral cases in public health facilities.

“Looking after their health should be of utmost importance because, you may agree with me, that there is a certain group of people that seek medical attention from hospitals most frequently,” she said.

On lack of essential drugs and other medical supplies in public hospitals, Kalilani said her ministry is striving to facilitate procurement procedures at the Central Medical Stores for the drugs to be available in all health facilities in the country.

She thanked the hospitals’ employees for their commitment.