Mwenya Mukuka-ZCCB Communications Officer
Pope Francis has donated 3 ventilators and other medical supplies to Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) in support to the fight against Covid-19.
Presenting the donation, the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi Archbishop Giafranco Gallone announced that the donation which includes medical items such as surgical masks N95 masks was a gift from Pope Francis to support the needs of Zambia in the fight against the pandemic.
“The Holy Father is helping all the African countries by sending a small contribution. It is his concern towards those who are suffering and do not have the necessary means to be able to cure themselves,” said the Nuncio.
Archbishop Gallone also relayed the Holy Father’s concerned for those that have lost their jobs and those suffering from food shortage.
The ventilators will be used at Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital in Lusaka, Chilonga Mission Hospital in Muchinga Province and St. Dominic’s' Mission Hospital on the Copperbelt Province.
His Excellency Most Rev. Giafranco Gallone delivered the items to Bishop Moses Hamungole on behalf of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) in Lusaka on Monday May 25, 2020.
And receiving the donation on behalf of the Conference, Rt. Rev. Moses Hamungole thanked the Holy Father for the donation and assured the Nuncio that the ventilators will be used for the benefit of all critically ill patients in the recipient hospitals.
“We want to assure you that we shall continue to respond to the invitation of His Holiness, Pope Francis, to be close to those who suffer the most. These ventilators will benefit all critically ill patients in the named hospitals,” bishop Hamungole said.
By Friday May 29, 2020, Zambia has recorded at least 1,057 Covid-19 cases, with 779 recovered and 7 deaths.
Speaking on behalf of St. Dominic’s’ Mission Hospital and all beneficiary health facilities, Sr. Elizabeth Njovu thanked the Holy Father for the donation, and promised that the ventilators will ultimately help them save lives, make their work easier, and offer excellent response services.
And representing the government at the occasion, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Malama acknowledged the Catholic Church’s efforts in the delivery of health services in the country.