The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), through its United States Agency for International Development-funded Tuberculosis Local Organizations Network (USAID-TBLON) project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has supported the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) with ten oxygen concentrators.  

This support aims to enhance care for patients with respiratory complications, including those battling tuberculosis (TB), with five oxygen concentrators allocated to the UTH Children’s Hospital and another five to the UTH Adult Hospital.  

Speaking at the handover ceremony, USAID-TBLON Chief of Party Dr Mary Kagujje highlighted the project’s contributions to Zambia’s healthcare system, reaffirming its support to the Ministry of Health in TB prevention, care, and treatment.  

Dr Kagujje said the donation of oxygen concentrators is vital in ensuring that patients, particularly those experiencing post-TB treatment respiratory issues, receive the care they need.   

“The USAID-TBLON project has been supporting TB care and treatment across eight provinces in Zambia. It has been observed that patients presenting to tertiary-level facilities often exhibit complex forms of TB, necessitating advanced respiratory support,” she said.  

Dr Kagujje said this in a speech read on her behalf by USAID-TBLON Medical Officer Dr Mutumwa Muyangana.  

Meanwhile, UTH Children’s Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Dr Musuku Mwenechanya said the provision of oxygen concentrators will play a vital role in improving treatment outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for patients during and after their TB treatment.   

“We are deeply grateful to USAID-TBLON for this generous donation of oxygen concentrators. This support comes at a critical time when the UTH oxygen plant is non-functional. The gesture will help fill the gap, providing essential care to patients, including children with pneumonia who require oxygen as part of their treatment. We also spend a lot of money procuring oxygen cylinders, and this donation will help mitigate those expenses,” he said.  

And UTH Adult Hospital Acting Senior Medical Superintendent Dr Charles Mbewe expressed gratitude to USAID-TBLON for the donation, while calling for continued collaboration to strengthen healthcare services at the facility.