ZAMBIA: Bishops Predict Enormous Pressures On National Health Facilities Due Covid-19
Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyemba OMI, bishop of Mongu Diocese
Mwenya Mukuka
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has observed that Covid-19 is likely to put enormous pressure on the national’s health facilities.
The Conference has also said the likelihood of more people dying of hunger than Covid-19 will also be exceedingly high.
The Bishops’ have said the development will be made worse because the capacity of government to fully respond to Covid-19 and at the same time feed people with no food is extremely limited.
Speaking on behalf of the Conference in Lusaka on Wednesday, 22nd April, 2020 when he received a second donation of food items and hygienic materials from C & S Investments in response to Covid-19 fight, Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyemba OMI who is bishop of Mongu Diocese said that the Catholic Church, working in partnership with others, must find ways to supplement government’s efforts.
“We must not fold our arms and expect others to do the job. This is the time to express the love of the risen Christ to humanity in Zambia,” he said.
He said that the Church needs to prepare for the worst case scenario and be ready to support its foot soldiers in hospitals, health centers and communities.
“Inspired by the love and mercy of God, our aid is to help the sick, bless the dying and feed the hungry. Many poor people, especially those living in villages and peri-urban areas will need to be fed and helped to economically recover after the pandemic,” Bishop Chinyemba said.
On behalf of other bishops, Bishop Chinyemba appealed to Zambians to not only think of personal needs and interests but to take this time as an opportunity to prepare for a collective response.
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