UTH Launches Dedicated Stroke Unit

By Cindy Mulomba Government has commissioned its first dedicated stroke unit at the University Teaching Hospital –UTH- Adult Hospital in Lusaka. The unit marks a major step in the country’s efforts to strengthen specialised and patient-centred healthcare services. Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services KENNEDY LISHIMPI says about 425,000 United States dollars has been spent on infrastructure development, procurement of equipment and specialised staff training. Dr. LISHIMPI said this in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Health Monitoring and Evaluation Lead Dr. CLIVE GOSA. He described the launch as a demonstration that investment in specialised healthcare infrastructure and human resource development saves lives. Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Ndola Teaching Hospital and Kitwe Teaching Hospital have already trained nurses and physiotherapists and are now operating functional stroke units.