The Czech Republic has donated a state-of-the-art C-arm X-ray machine to Lewanika General Hospital’s theatre.
At the handover ceremony in Mongu on Monday, Czech Republic Ambassador to Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Pavel Procházka, said the machine will improve orthopaedic services at Lewanika General Hospital.
“We started supporting Lewanika General Hospital in 2013. Last year, doctors proposed the idea of supplying the hospital with an X-ray machine due to challenges in performing more sophisticated operations. We joined forces to bring the machine to Mongu,” said the Ambassador. “The embassy covered transportation costs, the doctors organized everything, and together we made this shared dream a reality. The X-ray machine is now here and will serve Zambian patients for many years to come.”
Western Province Minister Kapelwa Mbangweta (MP) thanked Czechia for the donation.
He said the machine would greatly enhance access to healthcare services in Western Province by enabling specialized orthopaedic treatments that were previously unavailable.
“Lewanika General Hospital will now have the capacity to provide advanced surgical services. This will significantly reduce referral costs for both the hospital and our dear patients,” Minister Mbangweta said.
Western Province Acting Provincial Health Director, Dr. Loveday Mwila, described the donation as a remarkable gesture by the Government and the people of the Czech Republic.
He highlighted the contribution as a beacon of hope, compassion, and international solidarity in the shared mission of improving healthcare in Western Province.
The C-arm X-ray machine will enhance orthopaedic surgeons’ ability to precisely align bones during fracture treatments, improving surgical outcomes.
Accompanying the donation is a medical team from the Czech Republic, consisting of orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses, who will conduct specialized orthopaedic procedures free of charge for one week.