ZAMBIA: Chilonga Catholic Nursing School Gutted
By Mwenya Mukuka, Communications Officer ZCCB
Chilonga School of Nursing in the Catholic Diocese of Mpika has been gutted by fire destroying the entire infrastructure and students’ property.
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) National Health Coordinator Sr Matildah Mubanga, DoR has confirmed the development. She said the fire started from the Kitchen and later spread to the other structures of the Nursing School around 04:30 hours on 1st October, 2016.
“Investigations have indicated that one cooker was left on after power outage and that could bethe cause of fire after power restoration. The area experienced power outage from 15 00 hours and was restored at about 2100 hour,” she said.
“We are still trying to estimate the estimated cost of the lost property which includes laboratory equipment, school Library, Books, furniture, Kitchen equipment, three rooms, laundry, twenty-two student rooms, administration block and students’ personal belongings, “ she added.
Out of the 146 students at the school, 67 had their property destroyed but no one was injured nor any life lost.
Sister Mubanga, DoR has described the development as a sad situation which has befallen the church and appealed for assistance in the reconstruction of the school further calling on other church run institutions to take precaution during power load shedding.
She further disclosed that plans are under way to distribute first and second year students to other nursing schools but the final year Registered and Enrolled Nursing students will continue until they sit for examinations.
Chilonga Nursing School which was opened in 1963 in the Diocese of Mpika is administered by the Sisters of Child Jesus.
The Catholic Church in Zambia operates nursing schools in Mpika, Mansa, Lusaka and Monze dioceses with another under construction in Chipata diocese.
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